February 2009 Barack Obama speech to joint session of Congress

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, gave his first public address before a joint session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. Similar to a State of the Union Address, it was delivered before the 111th United States Congress in the Chamber of the United States House of Representatives in the United States Capitol.[1] Presiding over this joint session was the House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, accompanied by Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States.

2009 Address to a Joint Session of Congress
Full video of the speech as published by the White House
DateFebruary 24, 2009 (2009-02-24)
Time9:00 p.m. EST
Duration51 minutes
VenueHouse Chamber, United States Capitol
LocationWashington, D.C.
Coordinates38°53′23″N 77°00′32″W
TypeUnofficial State of the Union Address
ParticipantsBarack Obama
President Barack Obama addressing the Congress, with Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
View from the Executive Gallery of the House Chamber

During his speech, President Obama discussed the recently passed $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as well as the Troubled Assets Relief Program, the state of the economy, and the future of the country.[2]

Attorney General Eric Holder was the designated survivor and did not attend the address in order to maintain a continuity of government. He was sequestered at a secret secure location for the duration of the event.[3]

Republican response
Main article: Bobby Jindal § Republican response to President Obama's address to Congress

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal delivered the Republican response to the address, calling Obama's stimulus plan irresponsible.[4] Jindal's response received criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Obama outlines ambitious agenda for 'lasting prosperity'". CNN.com. February 25, 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  2. CNN
  3. "Holder Draws 'Survivor' Duty". Washington Post. February 25, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  4. "Republican Golden Boy Fails to Shine". The Scotsman. February 26, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  5. "Republicans, Democrats criticize Jindal's speech". FOXNews.com. February 25, 2009. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
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