Newly elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy formally invited President Joe Biden to a Joint Session of Congress to deliver a state of the union.
McCarthy, who was voted Speaker after a contentious 15 ballot vote throughout the week, sent a formal letter to Biden Friday to deliver his 2023 state of the union.
“It is my solemn obligation to invite the president to speak before a Joint Session of Congress on February 7th so that he may fulfill his duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union.”
It is my solemn obligation to invite the president to speak before a Joint Session of Congress on February 7th so that he may fulfill his duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union. pic.twitter.com/YBmzLxs3Iz
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 13, 2023
“The new year brings a new Congress, and with it, a responsibility to work towards an economy that is strong, a nation that is safe, a future that is built on freedom, and a government that is accountable,” McCarthy wrote.
“The American people sent us to Washington to deliver a new direction for the country, to find common ground, and to debate their priorities,” he continued. “In that spirit, it is my solemn obligation to invite you to speak before a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 so that you may fulfill your duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union.”
“Your remarks will inform our efforts to address the priorities of the American people.”
Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address will be his first delivered to a Congress controlled by the GOP.
The President is speculated to soon announce his bid for re-election in 2024, the Hill reported.
Biden is expected to make a formal announcement in April, according to one source close to Biden’s 2020 campaign.
“I think it’s all about timing at this point,” said one Biden ally, per the outlet. “It seems like he’s all in. It’s not really ‘if’ he runs anymore.”
In 2019, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attempted to postpone former President Trump’s state of the union citing “security concerns” amidst a government shutdown which lasted from Dec. 22, 2018 until Jan. 25, 2019.
“I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing,” Pelosi wrote at the time.
“I don’t believe it’s ever happened before. It’s always good to be part of history, but this is a very negative part of history,” said Trump of Pelosi’s insistence the former President provide his remarks in writing.
“This is where people are afraid to open up and say what’s going on,” he added.
On Jan. 28, following discussion between Pelosi and Trump, the former Speaker of the House announced they had agreed upon Feb. 5 for the former President to deliver his remarks.
“When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this year’s State of the Union address,” Pelosi wrote. “Therefore, I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber.”
