2021 Joe Biden speech to a joint session of Congress

[2] Biden delivered his speech on the 99th day of his presidency amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, campaign to vaccinate Americans, ratification of the American Rescue Plan, Democratic efforts to advance legislation on infrastructure,[3] guns, social justice, and voting rights,[4] Derek Chauvin's conviction in the murder of George Floyd,[5] and planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

[1] Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, face covering requirements and social distancing were used to protect attendees, and members of Congress were not allowed to invite guests, breaking with tradition.

[9] Biden's address centered on his plans to expand the size and scope of the federal government to create blue-collar jobs, raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, reduce economic inequality, and invest in early childhood education, community colleges, infrastructure, research, and technology in the fight against climate change.

[10] He proposed the American Families Plan, a US$1.8 trillion package that includes new spending on child care, education, and paid leave.

[10] Republican Senator Tim Scott delivered the party's formal rebuttal to Biden's joint address to Congress.