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Joe Biden's speech to Congress: How to live stream, where to watch and what to expect from president's first address

Only 200 members of Congress are set to attend the address due to Covid-19 restrictions as opposed to 1,600 people who packed the chamber during past addresses

President Joe Biden will deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, April 28 night, two days before he completes his first 100 days as President of the United States of America. The speech is similar to but is not the State of the Union address.

Biden will present his policy priorities and accomplishments during this time in office and outline his vision for the country. This year's joint address will be different from those in the past because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Only 200 members of Congress are set to attend due to restrictions as opposed to 1,600 people who packed the chamber during past addresses. Here's how the event can be watched on live stream and what to expect. 

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Date and time 

President Joe Biden will address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at 9 pm ET.

Venue

Joe Biden's address will be held in the US Capitol's House chamber, also known as the "Hall of the House of Representatives". It is a large assemble room located in the center of the Capitol's south wing. The 200 members of the House of Representatives that will be attending will sit in unassigned armchairs arranged in a semicircle on tiered platforms that face the Speaker's rostrum. 

How to live stream

The speech can be streamed live on all major networks such as PBS, CNN, Fox, NBC, on C-Span, Facebook, Twitter, and on White House's official Youtube channel. 

To make the address accessible to all American citizens, the live stream will also have American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the first time in history. 

What will President Joe Biden talk about?

Biden's speech is expected to include two of the biggest events in recent times - the Insurrection at the Capitol and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Before his speech, he will meet with Capitol staff who experienced the tragic events on January 6, 2021, first hand. 

People who are briefed about the speech reveal that a major portion of Biden's speech will be about the coronavirus pandemic. He is also expected to highlight his administration's efforts to combat the virus and keep the economy afloat. During the address, the president is also expected to talk about the executive order he signed on Tuesday, April 27, raising the minimum wage $15 per hour for people working on federal contracts.  

Policing reform will also be a key topic that will be discussed during Biden's speech. "As he's thinking about what his joint session speech looks like next week, he has every intention of using that as an opportunity to elevate this issue and talk about the importance of putting police reform measures in place," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last week.

Biden's comments about policing reform from the chamber will come a week after former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. "The President doesn't believe that he alone can pull the George Floyd (Justice in Policing) Act across the finish line. That is going to be up to Congress," she said, adding that Biden "believes the bar for convicting officers is too high," Psaki said. 

Who will deliver the Republican response?

Senator Tim Scott will deliver the GOP response to Biden’s address, immediately after the president's speech. “Senator Tim Scott is not just one of the strongest leaders in our Senate Republican Conference. He is one of the most inspiring and unifying leaders in our nation,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement announcing the selection.

"Tomorrow represents a uniquely American tradition. While we disagree, there is unity in our diversity. I am ready to share the GOP message of hope and opportunity with the entire country!"Scott tweeted ahead of his speech.