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This year marks another State of the Union address for US President Joe Biden. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released guidelines for the upcoming event, which now opened the chamber for all members of Congress to attend.
Pelosi released the guidelines for the upcoming State of the Union address by Biden next week from the House Sergeant-at-Arms’ office in consultation with the Capitol physician. Compared to the previous year, where a limited number of people were allowed to attend due to the pandemic, this time, all members of Congress are open to attending.
Other guests are not allowed, and everyone attending must be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event. The memo noted that anyone violating the guidelines for social distancing and mask-wearing would be removed from the venue. The guidelines have raised concerns among Biden allies, who say that anti-mask Republicans may try and pull a stunt or protest during the address.
Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain met with Senate Democrats Thursday last week and said that the US leader’s upcoming State of the Union address is highly anticipated. Pelosi also indicated a few weeks ago that lawmakers are looking to have “fuller participation” compared to last year.
“I think people are ready to pivot in a way that shows the American people we largely have been vaccinated here,” said Pelosi.
Aside from members of Congress, Cabinet members are also traditionally among the attendees in the State of the Union addresses. Supreme Court Justices and military leaders are also among the attendees.
In other related news, federal prosecutors argued that January 6 insurrectionist Adam Johnson should serve a 90-day prison sentence for his participation in the Capitol riots. Johnson became infamous as the rioter who stole Pelosi’s lectern during the siege.
In a sentencing memo, the prosecutors argued that Johnson showed a “sense of entitlement and privilege” and that the infamous photo of the insurrectionist painted him as “confident, arguably gleeful while converting government property to his own use during an unlawful siege of the Capitol.”
The prosecutors cited Johnson’s wife, who is a doctor, and thus their family has a good financial situation that Johnson did not need to work. The prosecutors also cited the fact that Johnson hired two “reputable” attorneys and therefore can afford to pay a substantial fine for his actions on January 6.
