Does The Vp Attend The State Of The Union Address?

The State of the Union address serves as a crucial platform for the president to communicate their agenda and priorities to both policymakers and the general public. To enhance the impact of their message, the president is joined by a diverse audience that includes members of their Cabinet, any Supreme Court justices who opt to attend, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as former members of Congress and representatives from the diplomatic community. These distinguished guests are strategically seated in front of the assembled lawmakers, adding a human dimension to the president’s speech and helping to connect the policy proposals to real people and their experiences. The next State of the Union address is scheduled for February 7, 2023.

The State of the Union address is attended by a diverse group of individuals who play key roles in the governance of the United States. This includes members of the Cabinet, who are responsible for heading various government departments, leaders of the military, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as retired Justices of the Supreme Court. In addition to these prominent figures, the address is also meant for the American public, as emphasized with the words, “and to you, my fellow Americans.” The specific date of the State of the Union address mentioned in the original passage was February 7th, 2023, and during that event, the President congratulated the 118th Congress and acknowledged the new Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. This annual speech serves as an important occasion for the President to communicate with the nation and highlight key priorities and achievements.

The list below highlights notable Cabinet members who were absent from the State of the Union address in 2023, along with some historical context dating back to 1984*. It’s important to note that the absence of these officials can be due to various reasons such as scheduling conflicts, prior commitments, or, as seen in 2021, limited attendance due to Covid-19 concerns.

Notable Cabinet Member Absences from the State of the Union Address (Since 1984*)

• February 7, 2023: Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh was not in attendance.
• March 1, 2022: Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo was absent.
• April 28, 2021**: In 2021, none of the Cabinet members were present at the address, as attendance was limited due to Covid-19 concerns.
• February 4, 2020: Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt was among the absentees.

Please note that this list includes selected Cabinet members who did not attend the State of the Union address over the years.