President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the U.S. Capitol.
It will be his first address to Congress since being he was sworn in Jan. 20 as the nation’s 45th president, and his first speech to the nation since his inaugural address.
“The theme of the address will be the renewal of the American spirit,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer said. “The address will particularly focus on public safety, including defense, increased border security, taking care of our veterans, and then economic opportunity, including education, job training, health care reform, jobs, and tax and regulatory reform.”
What time will President Trump speak today?
The speech is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. EST
What TV channel will I be able to watch the speech?
The major television networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and cable channels, C-SPAN, CNN, FOX NEWS and MSNBC will carry the speech live.
How can I watch the speech on live stream?
The White House is expected to live stream the president’s remarks at www.whitehouse.gov. The PBS Newshour and Twitter will jointly live stream the speech as well.
Who will attend the speech?
Besides the president, members of both the House and Senate, Cabinet secretaries and U.S. Supreme Court Justices, will be there. The address will take place in the larger House chamber. Unlike Trump’s inauguration, there has been no indication that any members of Congress will boycott his speech.
Is this a State of the Union address?
No. Trump took office Jan. 20. Traditionally, a president does not deliver a State of Union address in his first year.
What will the Democrats have to say?
As is the case for the State of Union, the opposition Democrats will get a chance to rebut Trump.
Former Kentucky Gov. Steven Beshear, a Democrat who presided over a successful rollout of the Affordable Care Act in his state, will respond.
In addition, Astrid Silva of Nevada, a student at Nevada State College, will deliver a Spanish-language response. She was brought to the U.S. as a child by undocumented immigrants and is protected from deportation by President Barack Obama’s executive orders that Trump has promised to revoke.
Will there be any surprises?
You never know. When Obama accurately told lawmakers in September 2009 that his proposed health care bill would not cover unauthorized immigrants, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted, “You lie,” and then raised more than $1 million for his re-election the following week.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook
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