WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden will deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress on March 1 and release his first budget request for the fiscal year 2023, providing more details of his administration’s spending and tax priorities, the White House said on Monday..
Biden’s speech will come just days ahead of the March 8 deadline to fund the U.S. government, and as lawmakers are already in negotiations on a massive COVID-19 relief package..
Administration officials gave no details about what the president would propose in his first budget, which will be delivered to Congress on the same day as his speech..
The document is expected to include more details of how Biden plans to pay for his administration’s priorities, including investments in infrastructure, clean energy jobs, and education. It will also provide an early signal of how the president plans to balance his ambitious agenda with concerns about the nation’s long-term debt..
Biden’s proposed budget will need to be approved by Congress before it can take effect..
The president’s speech to Congress is an annual event that is typically used by presidents to present their policy priorities and legislative proposals..
Biden, a Democrat, is expected to use his speech to promote his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which has already passed the House of Representatives but is facing opposition from some Republicans in the Senate..
The president is also expected to address other issues in his speech, including the economy, climate change, and racial justice..
Biden’s first 100 days in office have been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he has also taken steps to address other issues, including rejoining the Paris climate agreement, reversing a travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, and ending a national emergency declaration at the U.S.-Mexico border..
The president has also signed executive orders on issues such as gun control, LGBTQ rights, and immigration..
Biden’s address to Congress will be the first time the new president has spoken before a joint session since Bill Clinton in 1993. Former President Donald Trump never addressed a joint session of Congress during his four years in office..
