February 2009 Barack Obama speech to a joint session of Congress

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] 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 some Republicans.