State of the Union Address

:Alternative meanings in State of the Union (disambiguation)

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The State of the Union Address is an annual event in which the President of the United States reports on the status of the country, normally to a joint session of the U.S. Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate). The address is also used to outline the President's legislative proposals for the upcoming year. It has occurred in January except for 6 occasions in February since 1934.

Related Topics:
President - United States - Joint session of the U.S. Congress - House of Representatives - Senate

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Modeled after the Speech from the Throne, the requirement for the address is written into the United States Constitution:

Related Topics:
Speech from the Throne - United States Constitution

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:"The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." (Article II, Section 3)

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This requirement does not specify the address's form, frequency, or depth of information. Although all Presidents have given an annual message, its form has changed over time.

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