Joe Biden speech: women make US history as Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris flank US president for address to Congress

US President Joe Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress breaks historic glass ceiling

Two women – the vice-president and House speaker – sit behind president for first time in US history

1-MIN READ1-MIN

US Vice-President Kamala Harris (L) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (R) applaud as US President Joe Biden addresses Congress. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:05am, 29 Apr 2021Updated: 10:05am, 29 Apr 2021

When US President Joe Biden delivered his debut speech to a joint session of Congress Wednesday, history was made behind him, with two powerful women taking their places on the rostrum for the first time.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has been in the position before during presidential speeches.

But with the addition this time of Kamala Harris, the nation’s first female vice-president, the two people seated behind and on either side of Biden as Americans tuned in on their TV screens for the prime time address were women.

Vice-President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi welcome US President Joe Biden before he addresses Congress. Photo: AFP

“Madam Speaker. Madam Vice-President,” Biden said proudly, turning to the women and clapping as he began his address.

“No president has ever said those words from this podium,” he added, “And it’s about time.”

The chamber, with a limited number of lawmakers on hand due to coronavirus guidelines, burst into applause, as first Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff joined in the ovation.