Biden’s first address to Congress | CNN Politics

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President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress in front of Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, April 28. "Madam speaker, madam vice president. No president has ever said those words from this podium. No president has ever said those words. And it's about time," Biden said.
President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress in front of Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday, April 28. "Madam speaker, madam vice president. No president has ever said those words from this podium. No president has ever said those words. And it's about time," Biden said.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Politics

In pictures: Biden’s first address to Congress

Updated 12:05 AM EDT, Thu April 29, 2021
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Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday for the first time in his presidency — and it was an address unlike any other we've seen in modern American history.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, only a limited number of lawmakers were in the chamber.

This was also the first time in history that two women were seated behind the President for a joint address: Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Biden's speech focused on the administration's accomplishments thus far and unveiled key components of his next legislative push. "America is on the move again," he declared.

Because of pandemic restrictions, not every lawmaker was able to attend the speech. Those who did were spread out.
Because of pandemic restrictions, not every lawmaker was able to attend the speech. Those who did were spread out.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFPGetty Images
Harris and Pelosi bump elbows before Biden's arrival.
Harris and Pelosi bump elbows before Biden's arrival.
Jim Watson/Pool/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applauds Biden from the front row.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applauds Biden from the front row.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Biden fist-bumps US Rep. Maxine Waters after his speech, which lasted an hour and five minutes.
Biden fist-bumps US Rep. Maxine Waters after his speech, which lasted an hour and five minutes.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell listens to the President's speech.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell listens to the President's speech.
Melina Mara/Pool/Getty Images
US Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren chat in the Capitol after Biden's speech. Both competed with Biden last year for the Democratic nomination.
US Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren chat in the Capitol after Biden's speech. Both competed with Biden last year for the Democratic nomination.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Biden fist-bumps Harris after his speech.
Biden fist-bumps Harris after his speech.
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
US Sen. Steve Daines was among the lawmakers who had to watch the speech on television.
US Sen. Steve Daines was among the lawmakers who had to watch the speech on television.
Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
"It's been 100 days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible and inherited a nation, we all did, that was in crisis," <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fbiden-address-fact-check-updates-04-28-21%2Fh_93c4472dbae17451d5dc1776e783a1cf" target="_blank">Biden said in his speech.</a> "The worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. Now after just 100 days I can report to the nation, America is on the move again."
"It's been 100 days since I took the oath of office, lifted my hand off our family Bible and inherited a nation, we all did, that was in crisis," Biden said in his speech. "The worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. Now after just 100 days I can report to the nation, America is on the move again."
Melina Mara/Pool/Getty Images
First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Harris' husband, applaud during the speech.
First lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Harris' husband, applaud during the speech.
Michael Reynolds/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
US Sen. Tim Scott walks through the Capitol before delivering <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F04%2F28%2Fpolitics%2Ftim-scott-republican-response-biden-address-congress%2Findex.html" target="_blank">the GOP rebuttal</a> to Biden's speech.
US Sen. Tim Scott walks through the Capitol before delivering the GOP rebuttal to Biden's speech.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Harris and Pelosi are the first women in history to be vice president and speaker of the House.
Harris and Pelosi are the first women in history to be vice president and speaker of the House.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
From left, Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, Jim Risch and Ted Cruz listen to Biden's speech.
From left, Republican Sens. Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, Jim Risch and Ted Cruz listen to Biden's speech.
Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Biden used his speech <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fbiden-address-fact-check-updates-04-28-21%2Fh_d49405b6b05abd974a19b692efa4b1fa" target="_blank">to lay out an an ambitious progressive agenda,</a> proposing up to $6 trillion in new spending for infrastructure, investment in America and more social safety net programs.
Biden used his speech to lay out an an ambitious progressive agenda, proposing up to $6 trillion in new spending for infrastructure, investment in America and more social safety net programs.
Melina Mara/Pool/Getty Images
Members of the gallery stand and applaud during Biden's speech.
Members of the gallery stand and applaud during Biden's speech.
Michael Reynolds/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Harris watches Biden speak from the same spot where he once sat. Biden was vice president for eight years.
Harris watches Biden speak from the same spot where he once sat. Biden was vice president for eight years.
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
About 200 people were allowed in the House chamber for the President's remarks.
About 200 people were allowed in the House chamber for the President's remarks.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Biden's speech is seen on a television inside a bar in Washington, DC.
Biden's speech is seen on a television inside a bar in Washington, DC.
Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Biden hands a copy of his speech to Pelosi before he started it.
Biden hands a copy of his speech to Pelosi before he started it.
Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Biden greets people as he arrives in the House chamber.
Biden greets people as he arrives in the House chamber.
Jim Watson/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The center aisle is normally where the President will shake hands with members of Congress while walking to the podium. This year, it was fist bumps instead.
The center aisle is normally where the President will shake hands with members of Congress while walking to the podium. This year, it was fist bumps instead.
Melina Mara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Members of Congress applaud as Harris walks into the House chamber.
Members of Congress applaud as Harris walks into the House chamber.
Jim Watson/Pool/AP
US Rep. Brenda Lawrence wears a mask that says "everybody vs. injustice" as she waits for Biden's speech.
US Rep. Brenda Lawrence wears a mask that says "everybody vs. injustice" as she waits for Biden's speech.
Jim Watson/Pool/AP
First lady Jill Biden, next to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, gestures to her husband at the beginning of the speech.
First lady Jill Biden, next to second gentleman Doug Emhoff, gestures to her husband at the beginning of the speech.
Doug Mills/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Harris and Pelosi arrive in the House chamber before the President's speech.
Harris and Pelosi arrive in the House chamber before the President's speech.
Andrew Harnik/Pool/AP
Chief Justice John Roberts talks with Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, before the speech. Because of the pandemic restrictions, Roberts was the only member of the Supreme Court in attendance.
Chief Justice John Roberts talks with Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, before the speech. Because of the pandemic restrictions, Roberts was the only member of the Supreme Court in attendance.
Andrew Harnik/Pool/AP
Harris is trailed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as they walk through the Capitol Rotunda before the speech.
Harris is trailed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as they walk through the Capitol Rotunda before the speech.
Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
US Sen. Elizabeth Warren, right, was among the lawmakers in attendance. Lawmakers were seated in the upstairs gallery in addition to the House floor.
US Sen. Elizabeth Warren, right, was among the lawmakers in attendance. Lawmakers were seated in the upstairs gallery in addition to the House floor.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Security personnel are stationed on the Capitol roof before the speech.
Security personnel are stationed on the Capitol roof before the speech.
Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/AP
US Rep. Barbara Lee takes a selfie with, from left, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Austin and Blinken were the only Cabinet members in attendance.
US Rep. Barbara Lee takes a selfie with, from left, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Austin and Blinken were the only Cabinet members in attendance.
Caroline Brehman/Pool/Getty Images
Between each of the assigned seats were four empty seats, designed to encourage social distancing in the chamber.
Between each of the assigned seats were four empty seats, designed to encourage social distancing in the chamber.
Jim Watson/Pool/Getty Images
Military personnel walk inside the Capitol Visitor Center earlier on Wednesday.
Military personnel walk inside the Capitol Visitor Center earlier on Wednesday.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Staff members polish the teleprompter glass before Biden's speech.
Staff members polish the teleprompter glass before Biden's speech.
Caroline Brehman/Pool/AP
Television equipment is set up in front of the Capitol on Wednesday.
Television equipment is set up in front of the Capitol on Wednesday.
Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg/Getty Images

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