Read the transcript of President Joe Biden’s address to joint session of Congress
Updated Apr 29, 2021;
Posted Apr 29, 2021
President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, as Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., look on. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)AP
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President Joe Biden, a Delaware Democrat who served as vice president and a senator for three decades, said it was “good to be back” in House chambers of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, this time at the podium to deliver his first presidential address to a joint session of Congress.
No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it’s about time.
Biden was addressing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first and only woman to hold that position – twice – and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman to hold that position. Both were sitting behind him, the first time two women have sat behind a President for a joint address toCongress. (Much less two women from California.)
The First Lady.
Mr. Chief Justice.
Of the nine Supreme Court justices, only Chief Justice John Roberts attended. Lots of Democrats would like to expand the size of the Supreme Court, although that’s not something Biden mentioned Wednesday night.
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Apr 28, 2021 10:50 PM EDT
President Joe Biden used his first address before a joint session of Congress to make the case that his administration has made progress during the first 100 days he’s been in office, confronting the public health and economic maelstrom caused by coronavirus pandemic.
Read Biden’s full remarks below:
Madame Speaker. Madame Vice President. No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it’s about time.
The First Lady. The Second Gentleman. Mr. Chief Justice. Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet – and distinguished guests.
My fellow Americans.
While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very different – a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in.