Pandemic To Play Starring Role In Biden’s First Address To Congress
Both in the content of President Joe Biden's speech and in the makeup of the audience, the coronavirus pandemic will hugely influence the Wednesday night event. Drug pricing, "human infrastructure" and other health policies are also expected to be featured.
The Washington Post:
Biden's First Joint Address To Congress: A Historic Backdrop And Sparse Crowd
The address marks the conclusion of the first chapter of Biden’s presidency, one that he has sought to enter with a burst of activity meant to reshape the country’s politics and its place in the world. It will also be yet another vivid collision between the rituals of democracy and the pandemic that continues to grip much of American life. Members and senators won’t be allowed to bring guests. Biden is expected to have few, if any, guests aside from first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. Those in the chamber will be spread out, with some members on the House floor and others seated in the gallery. (Viser, 4/24)
CBS News:
Biden's First Address To Congress Is Invite-Only
Only invited members of Congress will be allowed to attend President Biden's address to a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday, and the event "will be invitation-only for a limited number of members of Congress," according to a memo from acting House Sergeant at Arms Timothy Blodgett. Any members who have not received an invite from their congressional leadership "will not be permitted in the Capitol after 5 p.m.," according to the memo obtained by CBS News. The sergeant at arms noted the event is restricted due to COVID-19, although it's unclear exactly how many members, and which ones, will be allowed in the Capitol. (Watson, 4/24)
USA Today:
Chief Justice John Roberts To Represent Supreme Court At Biden Speech To Congress
A spokeswoman for the nation’s highest court confirmed Monday that only Chief Justice John Roberts will attend the address. Roberts, spokeswoman Kathleen Arberg said, was the only one of the nine justices invited due to COVID-19 social distancing protocols. (Fritze and Hernandez, 4/26)
AP:
What's In Biden's Speech To Congress? Lawmakers Race To Add Priorities
Ahead of President Joe Biden’s address to Congress on Wednesday, lawmakers are intensifying the push to make sure key priorities are included in the next phase of his massive infrastructure reinvestment program, the American Families Plan. Biden is expected to unveil parts of the proposal this week, focusing on so-called human infrastructure — child care, health care, education and other core aspects of the household architecture that undergird everyday life for countless Americans. It would be paid for by hiking taxes on very high-income households, in keeping with the president’s vow not to raise taxes on those making less than $400,000 a year. (Mascaro and Boak, 4/27)
Stat:
Drug Pricing DéJà Vu: Now It’s Democrats Struggling To Unite On The Issue
It’s the eve of a major speech by the president, and it’s anyone’s guess what he will say about drug pricing. Swirling rumors have roiled the pharmaceutical industry and Congress over the past week. Top leaders in Congress have no idea what the White House actually supports. Sound familiar? (Cohrs, 4/27)
The Wall Street Journal:
Prescription-Drug Price Cuts Set To Be Left Out Of White House Proposal
The White House isn’t expected to include a measure aimed at lowering the price of prescription drugs in its coming antipoverty package, according to people familiar with the matter, in an omission likely to disappoint top Democrats on Capitol Hill. President Biden will detail the roughly $1.8 trillion proposal during a speech to Congress later this week, rolling out another major spending plan weeks after he released a $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. While officials are still finalizing the plan, it is set to include funding for child care, universal prekindergarten and tuition-free community college, among other measures. (Duehren and Peterson, 4/26)
CNBC:
House Democrat Richard Neal Unveils Sweeping Benefits, Tax Credits For Families
The Democrat in command of the House’s key tax-writing committee will on Tuesday unveil a list of priorities aimed at providing sweeping new benefits to working parents and families. Rep. Richard Neal, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and gatekeeper of new tax legislation, will outline investments in what Democrats are calling “human capital.” (Franck, 4/27)
