The State of the Union is an annual address Presidents give to Congress to report on the country’s progress and to outline their plans for the coming year. The Constitution requires that Presidents deliver this message to Congress to keep them informed on the country’s economic condition. The State of the Union is also a platform for both political parties to promote their agendas and fact-check the President. It presents an opportunity to discuss and solve the country’s problems and propose new public policies. It is a key part of the American political process, and ensures that the President can keep the people informed and the country on track for growth and prosperity.
On Azazel podcast today, my guest is Heather Almeyda. She is a law student at St-Mary’s School of Law. She and I will talk about the State of the Union Address. I am your host Dr. Bobb Rousseau, and without further ado, let’s begin.
Hi Angelica, welcome to my show. To me, the State of the Union is an American political tradition through which a sitting president tells Congress how the country is doing economically. It is a platform that both political parties use as a campaign tool to boost their agenda. In your own words, what is the State of the Union?
Hi Dr. Rousseau and thanks for having me. The American constitution establishes that all presidents must address Congress to inform Americans on the country’s economic condition. As the name suggests, in a State of the Union, presidents tell America what they did in the previous years and what their administration will be doing in the years to come to improve the economy and foreign relations. As you mentioned in your intro, the State of the Union is also an excellent opportunity for the opposing party to fact-check the sitting presidents and provide different strategies to improve America.
Thanks Header, now, please tell us. how often do Presidents deliver their state of the union message?
Annually. The State of the Union message is from the President to Congress, usually delivered once a year in January or February. In the State of the Union, the President exposes the country’s problems and proposes strategies to solve them, including suggestions for new laws and public policies. Some presidents delivered their message in writing; others delivered a speech on radios or televisions.
Again thank you Heather, what happens during the night of the State of Union. Better yet, how does the government prepare for such a big night?
During the night of the State of the Union, the members of the Congress meet in the House of Representatives alongside the President of the Chamber who happens to be also the Speaker of the House and the Vice-President, who is also the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate and the Vice President sit on the dais, a raised platform directly behind the place where the President speaks.
Key members of the Lower and the Upper Chambers escort the President to the chamber when the President arrives. The sergeant-of-arms of the House of Representatives announces the arrival of the President. The Speaker of the House then presents the President, who delivers his speech before Congress.
Heather, it seems to me that the entire government attends this event; what happens if something catastrophic happens to the president and the vice-president?
The State of the Union also implies presidential succession through a principle called “Blue Star.” Designated Survivor is another name for the blue star principle. According to custom, a member of the President’s cabinet does not attend the State of the Union address. This way, if a catastrophe were to occur and harm the President, the vice president, and the other members of the cabinet present, the member of the cabinet who would not be present at the State of the Union could then assume the duties of the President.
Heather who else attend the State of the Union?
Presidents usually invite several American citizens to Congress for their State of the Union message. These citizens are invited because they have done something extraordinary. During their speeches, the presidents present and honor them for their achievements.
After the message, there is a response from the opposition. This gives the opposing political party a chance to express its point of view on what the President said. Usually, they offer different suggestions than the President on how to improve America.
Heather, your friends told me that you are also an historian. As such do you know of any facts related to the State of the Union?
Thanks Dr. Rousseau. That was a great question. Here are some facts related to the State of the Union
George Washington gave the first State of the Union message in 1790. It was also the shortest message (833 words).
The most extended State of the Union address was given in 1946 by President Harry Truman. It was more than 25,000 words!
President Franklin Roosevelt gave 12 State of the Union messages – more than any other president.
President Calvin Coolidge was the first to deliver a State of the Union message on the radio (1923).
Harry Truman was the first president to give his State of the Union message on television (1947).
To keep up with traditions, Presidents deliver their State of Union on the first Tuesday of January or February.
Due to COVID, Biden was the first president to deliver his State of the Union on the first Tuesday of March 2022.
Thank you Ms Heather Alemyda for your participation. Here is a summary of the interview.
The State of the Union is an annual address Presidents give to Congress to report on the country’s progress and to outline their plans for the coming year. The Constitution requires that Presidents deliver this message to Congress to keep them informed on the country’s economic condition. The State of the Union is also a platform for both political parties to promote their agendas and fact-check the President. It presents an opportunity to discuss and solve the country’s problems and propose new public policies. It is a key part of the American political process, and ensures that the President can keep the people informed and the country on track for growth and prosperity.
This concludes our interview with a guest Ms Heather Alemyda who is a law student at St-Mary Law School in San Antonio. I was your host, Dr. Bobb Rousseau. Thanks for your contribution.
Hi Angelica, welcome to my show. To me, the State of the Union is an American political tradition through which a sitting president tells Congress how the country is doing economically. It is a platform that both political parties use as a campaign tool to boost their agenda. In your own words, what is the State of the Union?
Hi Dr. Rousseau and thanks for having me. The American constitution establishes that all presidents must address Congress to inform Americans on the country’s economic condition. As the name suggests, in a State of the Union, presidents tell America what they did in the previous years and what their administration will be doing in the years to come to improve the economy and foreign relations. As you mentioned in your intro, the State of the Union is also an excellent opportunity for the opposing party to fact-check the sitting presidents and provide different strategies to improve America.
Thanks Header, now, please tell us. how often do Presidents deliver their state of the union message?
Annually. The State of the Union message is from the President to Congress, usually delivered once a year in January or February. In the State of the Union, the President exposes the country’s problems and proposes strategies to solve them, including suggestions for new laws and public policies. Some presidents delivered their message in writing; others delivered a speech on radios or televisions.
Again thank you Heather, what happens during the night of the State of Union. Better yet, how does the government prepare for such a big night?
During the night of the State of the Union, the members of the Congress meet in the House of Representatives alongside the President of the Chamber who happens to be also the Speaker of the House and the Vice-President, who is also the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate and the Vice President sit on the dais, a raised platform directly behind the place where the President speaks.
Key members of the Lower and the Upper Chambers escort the President to the chamber when the President arrives. The sergeant-of-arms of the House of Representatives announces the arrival of the President. The Speaker of the House then presents the President, who delivers his speech before Congress.
Heather, it seems to me that the entire government attends this event; what happens if something catastrophic happens to the president and the vice-president?
The State of the Union also implies presidential succession through a principle called “Blue Star.” Designated Survivor is another name for the blue star principle. According to custom, a member of the President’s cabinet does not attend the State of the Union address. This way, if a catastrophe were to occur and harm the President, the vice president, and the other members of the cabinet present, the member of the cabinet who would not be present at the State of the Union could then assume the duties of the President.
Heather who else attend the State of the Union?
Presidents usually invite several American citizens to Congress for their State of the Union message. These citizens are invited because they have done something extraordinary. During their speeches, the presidents present and honor them for their achievements.
After the message, there is a response from the opposition. This gives the opposing political party a chance to express its point of view on what the President said. Usually, they offer different suggestions than the President on how to improve America.
Heather, your friends told me that you are also an historian. As such do you know of any facts related to the State of the Union?
Thanks Dr. Rousseau. That was a great question. Here are some facts related to the State of the Union
George Washington gave the first State of the Union message in 1790. It was also the shortest message (833 words).
The most extended State of the Union address was given in 1946 by President Harry Truman. It was more than 25,000 words!
President Franklin Roosevelt gave 12 State of the Union messages – more than any other president.
President Calvin Coolidge was the first to deliver a State of the Union message on the radio (1923).
Harry Truman was the first president to give his State of the Union message on television (1947).
To keep up with traditions, Presidents deliver their State of Union on the first Tuesday of January or February.
Due to COVID, Biden was the first president to deliver his State of the Union on the first Tuesday of March 2022.
Thank you Ms Heather Alemyda for your participation. Here is a summary of the interview.
The State of the Union is an annual address Presidents give to Congress to report on the country’s progress and to outline their plans for the coming year. The Constitution requires that Presidents deliver this message to Congress to keep them informed on the country’s economic condition. The State of the Union is also a platform for both political parties to promote their agendas and fact-check the President. It presents an opportunity to discuss and solve the country’s problems and propose new public policies. It is a key part of the American political process, and ensures that the President can keep the people informed and the country on track for growth and prosperity.
This concludes our interview with a guest Ms Heather Alemyda who is a law student at St-Mary Law School in San Antonio. I was your host, Dr. Bobb Rousseau. Thanks for your contribution.