President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first joint congressional address of his second presidency on Tuesday night. While not officially termed the State of the Union, this address provides Trump with the opportunity to outline his priorities for the year ahead.
The joint address is scheduled to commence at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Several networks have confirmed that they will broadcast the address on their platforms, with special programming before and after the event. The Associated Press will also livestream the address on its website and YouTube channel.
The speech will take place in the U.S. House chamber, a larger venue that can accommodate both House and Senate lawmakers, as well as other invited officials. Attendees will include members of the U.S. Supreme Court and Trump's Cabinet, with one Cabinet member designated as the 'designated survivor' in case of a national emergency.
Guests invited by the president will be seated with the first lady in the balcony above the House floor. These guests often have personal connections or are linked to issues highlighted in the president's speech.
Following the joint address, the Democratic Party will offer a televised response. This year, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin will deliver the response, focusing on economic issues. Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York will provide a Spanish-language response.
Unlike a traditional State of the Union, which reflects on the previous year, this address will look forward as Trump has only been in office for a little over a month since his second inauguration. Newly inaugurated presidents typically use this address to set the tone for their legislative agenda, with an average of 42 policy requests in a first-year address.
