All members of Congress but no guests invited to Biden's first State of the Union address

[left-of-center2012]

President Biden delivers the State of the Union address March 1 at the U.S. Capitol, a sign of ongoing precautions being taken because of the pandemic. Members of Congress will be seated in both the floor and the gallery sections of the House, according to a letter sent to lawmakers Thursday from the House sergeant-at-arms. All attendees must report a negative PCR coronavirus test within one day of the speech, remain socially distanced and wear an approved KN95 or N95 face mask while in the Capitol. According to the letter, it is “strongly recommended” but not required that attendees be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and have received a booster shot.

The speech will be Biden’s first State of the Union address since he was elected. Last April, Biden addressed a joint session of Congress in an event that was even more restricted, owing to pandemic precautions and security concerns after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Only about 200 people were allowed in the House chamber last year during Biden’s joint address.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said this month that her goal would be to invite every member of Congress to this year’s State of the Union address, noting that members had wanted a return to “fuller participation” in the speech.

“With vaccinations and so much happening since last year, I think the people are ready to pivot in a way that shows to the American people we largely have been vaccinated here,” Pelosi said then. “We think that many more people can participate. But it’s not anything that we can do. It’s up to the Capitol physician.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/17/all-members-congress-no-guests-invited-bidens-first-state-union-address/

[Lovie777]

1. I don't think to many of the GQP will be there . ..

[left-of-center2012]

3. Few of the Republicans will be absent

Most will be there

[babylonsister]

6. I would not bet money on that. They

don't agree with anything Biden does and they've all proven to be lowlife slugs, so I bet many stay true to form.

I hope that's not the case though I don't care. Show the venue 1/2 full of Dems on one side and few on the other; that in itself would be a statement.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. I wonder how many repiQs will try bringing guests anyway

and whine incessantly that their freedumbs are getting trampled.

[left-of-center2012]

4. I wonder if any of the Republicans will yell out

That would not be surprised if some of the crazies acted up

[Johnny2X2X]

5. This is a great chance for Biden to let the public know

All people hear about is inflation, so few people know that outside of inflation last year was the best year for the US economy in US history. Best year for growth in 40 years, best year for job creation in US history, highest wage growth in decades. In fact, real inflation, when wage growth is taken into account is not all that bad.

Biden had an amazing first year, now he gets to talk directly to the American people about it.

And think about this, he did it during a pandemic! All Trump and his cult members talk about is that the pandemic ruined his economic numbers, well the pandemic was still going on when Biden took over, there was still businesses struggling in 2021, restaurants faced periodic shutdowns in some parts of the country, schools too. Many entertainment venues were closed for parts of 2021. He was handed a sputtering economy that was deeply affected by Covid and he delivered the best year for growth since the early 80s and the best year for job growth ever. The American Rescue plan was a smashing success. If Trump would have stayed in power the economy would have sputtered in 2021 and Covid would have been everyone's excuse.