Biden Invited by Nancy Pelosi To Address Joint Session Of Congress

President Joe Biden has been invited by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to deliver his first speech to Congress. It is scheduled to happen 98 days into Biden’s first term in office.

"Nearly 100 days ago, when you took the oath of office, you pledged in a spirit of great hope that 'Help Is On The Way,'" Pelosi said in a letter, as reported by Fox News.

"Now, because of your historic and transformative leadership, Help Is Here! In that spirit, I am writing to invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday, April 28, to share your vision for addressing the challenges and opportunities of this historic moment," she added.

A formal response to the invitation from the White House is still pending, but it is assumed the date was agreed upon mutually with Democratic leaders.

Biden’s first speech to Congress will take place later into his first term than those of his predecessors. Former US President Barack Obama delivered his first speech on Feb. 24, 2009, while ex-President Donald Trump delivered his on Feb. 28, 2017.

The White House has been often accused of limiting Biden’s public appearances since he took charge. The president held his first formal press conference on March 25, which was about two months after his inauguration.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus met Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House for the first time on Tuesday, reported USA Today.

“We had an amazing meeting where we were able to share our thoughts and ideas, but we also came because we know there will be challenges," said Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The meeting "was the first of many to come" between the White House and the group, she shared.

"This has been a tough week for us," Beatty added, referring to the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings, a CBC member who represented a majority-Black congressional district in South Florida, and the tribute to US Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans, who was laid to rest at the Capitol Rotunda.

"And yet we also know that another unarmed Black man was shot and killed. Too many senseless deaths," Beatty said, referencing the Sunday police shooting of Daunte Wright, 20, in a Minneapolis suburb. The congresswoman shared that the CBC discussed police brutality with Biden and Harris during their meeting.

The coronavirus pandemic was also an important topic of discussion, she added.