Sergeant-at-arms says all members of Congress can attend State of the Union

The House sergeant-at-arms announced on Thursday that all members of Congress will be allowed to attend the State of the Union next month, after attendance at President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress last year was limited because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

William Walker, in a memo to all members of Congress, invited press and credentialed staff, and also laid out a number of COVID-19 safety measures all attendees are required to follow in order to listen to the speech in the chamber on March 1.

Attendees must present a negative COVID-19 test that was taken at the Capitol Visitors Center within one day of the speech and wear a KN95 or N95 mask.

Walker also said attendees must show proof of a daily negative health screening inventory prior to entry, socially distance during the speech, avoid physical contact with others and use waterless hand cleanser upon entering the chamber.

Vaccination against the coronavirus is not required for entry to the speech, but Walker said it is “strongly recommended” that attendees are vaccinated and boosted.

The decision comes after attendance was limited for Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress last year. Only about 200 individuals were allowed into the chamber, and no senators or representatives were allowed to bring guests to the event.

The first lady’s box was also empty. It is usually filled with guests invited to the speech by the first family.

Thursday’s official announcement quashes some recent reports that said attendance at this year’s State of the Union address would be limited.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told colleagues last week that she was extending proxy voting in the chamber until March 30. The measure, which was first implemented in May 2020 and has since been heavily utilized during the pandemic, was set to expire on Sunday, per a previous extension the Speaker had issued.

Pelosi cited a letter from Walker that said, in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician, that the public health emergency driven by the COVID-19 pandemic “remains in effect.”

Nathaniel Weixel contributed to this report.