For the first time in American history, a United States president will be flanked by two women on the dais of the House Chamber during an address to Congress. President Joe Biden will be joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California), marking the address a continuation of the Biden administration’s long list of political firsts.
Similar to the structure of a State of the Union address, Pelosi will introduce Biden to the chamber while Harris will call the proceedings to order. This is the first time in U.S. history both jobs will be completed by women – two women who at one time represented California’s Bay Area.
“It says a lot about country, and a lot about Joe Biden, and it says certainly a lot about both of the women who have made it to that place,” said former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) in a statement Monday. “It’s going to be very emotional for me.” Boxer both served alongside Pelosi in the House and had her Senate seat filled by Harris after her retirement.
Aides and White House insiders have repeatedly pointed to the strong relationship between the President and V.P. “President Biden promised that the vice president would be last in the room,” said Ashley Etienne, Harris’ communications director, in an interview Tuesday. “What hasn’t been covered is that she has been at every table and had a voice in every decision made. And she’s been there for every decision of consequence.”
