'Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President': Women make history at Biden's joint address
Source: NPR
When a president addresses Congress flanked by the vice president and speaker of the House, it's tradition. But when both of those seats are filled by women, it's history in the making.
Such was the case on Wednesday night, when President Biden delivered his first joint address to a scaled-back crowd of mask-wearing lawmakers.
But the pandemic wasn't the only history-making factor. Behind him sat two women from California: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Harris, both the first women to hold their positions.
Biden recognized the historic moment at the start of his remarks, addressing "Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President," as the roughly 200-person chamber burst into applause.
"No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it's about time," he said.
Click here to read the full article published by NPR on 28 April 2021.
When a president addresses Congress flanked by the vice president and speaker of the House, it's tradition. But when both of those seats are filled by women, it's history in the making.
Such was the case on Wednesday night, when President Biden delivered his first joint address to a scaled-back crowd of mask-wearing lawmakers.
But the pandemic wasn't the only history-making factor. Behind him sat two women from California: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Harris, both the first women to hold their positions.
Biden recognized the historic moment at the start of his remarks, addressing "Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President," as the roughly 200-person chamber burst into applause.
"No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it's about time," he said.
Click here to read the full article published by NPR on 28 April 2021.