State of the Union

The State of the Union is the President’s report to Congress on the condition of the country and the administration’s priorities. The Constitution requires the President to provide Congress information on the state of the union from time to time; modern presidents usually deliver an annual address to a joint session of Congress.

Example: President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address to Congress on March 7, 2024, outlining his administration’s priorities and responding to national issues.

Common misconception: The State of the Union is a formal vote or a lawmaking event. It is an address; any proposals in it still require the appropriate legislative or executive process.

Sources: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/03/07/remarks-of-president-joe-biden-state-of-the-union-address-as-prepared-for-delivery/; https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-3/