State of the Union Address

The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of

the United States before a joint session of Congress.

“He shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their

Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

-Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution

•Condition of the Nation

•Administrative Accomplishments

•Legislative Agenda for the coming year

Purpose of The State of the Union

George Washington gave the first State of the Union address on January 8, 1790 in New York

City, the provisional U. S. capital.

•A formal invitation is made to the President

•By 8:30 pm members of the House are seated

•The Vice President and Senate are announced and seated

•Dean of the Diplomatic Corps enters

•Chief Justice and Associate Justices enter

•Cabinet enters

Protocol

•As the President reaches the chamber door, the Majority Floor Services Chief and House Sergeant at Arms wait for the President to enter.

•The two announce his presence, stating, “Mister ( or Madam) Speaker, the President of the United States.”

Wilson Livingood, Sergeant at Arms

Applause and cheering begin as

the President slowly walks toward the Speaker’s

rostrum. The President pauses to shake hands, hug, kiss, and

autograph copies of his speech.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/?slidenumber=qbl7PcSGCjk%3D&slideshow#slide_image

The President hands two envelopes containing copies of his address to the Speaker and Vice

President.“Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans: Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the President shall give to Congress information about the state of our union. For two hundred and twenty years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty. They have done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility. And they have done so in the midst of war and depression…”

The Speaker of the House introduces the

President stating, “Members of

Congress, I have the high privilege and the

distinct honor of presenting to you the

President of the United States.”

This leads to a further round of applause and then, the beginning of

the address by the President.

One cabinet member does not attend in order to provide continuity in the line of succession (25th

Amendment) in the event that a catastrophe disables those in the House chamber.

Both the Speaker and the Vice President sit at the Speaker’s desk. The Justices sit

nearest to the podium.

The Cabinet and the Joint Chiefs of Staff sit adjacent to

the Justices

It has become common for the President to honor special guests

sitting in the gallery.

The State of the Union speech

usually lasts a little over an hour,

interrupted by large amounts of

applause, with many portions of the speech being

applauded only by members of the President’s own

party. The Supreme Court or the Joint

Chiefs rarely applaud to retain the appearance of

impartiality.

The President will conclude his agenda for the coming year in an upbeat and

optimistic fashion.