Politico | No ‘designated survivor’ for Joe Biden’s first joint address to Congress
- US president to make speech Wednesday, the day before he marks his 100th day in office
- Many Cabinet officials won’t be in the Capitol for speech, with attendance limited due to pandemic
“There does not need to be a designated survivor because the Cabinet will be watching from their offices or home, but they will not be joining him for the speech,” Psaki said.
With Vice-President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy and Secretary of State Antony Blinken all expected to attend the speech, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen would be the de facto designated survivor as the next in line of succession, assuming Yellen does not attend.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff will also be in attendance, Psaki said Tuesday.
Under normal circumstances, the entire Supreme Court and all members of Congress would be invited. This year, lawmakers aren’t allowed to bring guests.
During the speech, Biden will unveil his sweeping, trillion dollar-plus “American Families Plan”.