Biden's first address to a joint session of Congress, occurring on the eve of his 100th day in office, also marked the first time two women presided over such an address.
Key Facts
- Date
- April 28, 2021
- Days in office
- 99 (eve of 100th day)
- Congress session
- 117th United States Congress
- Presiding officers
- Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris
- Historic first
- First address presided over by two women
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
As the newly inaugurated 46th president, Joe Biden had been in office for nearly 100 days. By tradition, a president delivers a major address to a joint session of Congress early in the first term to outline legislative priorities and the state of the nation.
On April 28, 2021, President Biden delivered his first address to a joint session of the 117th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris presided from the rostrum, marking a historic first for two women—and two Californians—to hold that position simultaneously.
The address drew widespread attention to Biden's early legislative agenda and the historic nature of having two women preside over a presidential address to Congress. It set the public tone for the administration's policy priorities as the 100-day milestone approached.