President Joe Biden’s upcoming State of the Union address, scheduled for Thursday, March 7, is shadowed by the looming possibility of a government shutdown. The address falls between two critical government funding deadlines, with lawmakers deeply divided over a plan to avert a shutdown.
As of now, a two-step plan passed in January extended funding through March 1 for specific federal government sectors, with the remainder funded through March 8. If Congress fails to pass a spending measure, President Biden would deliver his State of the Union address with approximately 20% of the federal government running out of funds, on the eve of the second spending deadline, which could have significant implications for the US economy and national security.
This situation would mark the first time a US president delivers a State of the Union address during a government shutdown, reflecting the ongoing challenges of a polarized Congress in reaching consensus on crucial matters.
Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, highlighted the potential impact on the global stage, stating, “If it’s happening during a shutdown, a time that is the poster child for American dysfunction, that will be a poor statement about all of the parties involved.”
While legally and logistically feasible for the President to deliver the address during a partial shutdown, concerns arise about the message it would send domestically and internationally. The White House, when questioned about the possibility, did not provide a direct response. Conservative lawmaker Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania has already called on leadership to rescind the invitation, citing leverage in spending negotiations.
During the 2019 government shutdown, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested moving the address due to security concerns, as the Secret Service had not been funded for nearly a month. However, the Department of Homeland Security, overseeing the Secret Service, is not impacted by the current funding deadlines.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, expressed confidence that the address would proceed as planned, stating, “We are going to prevent a shutdown.” If an agreement is not reached, the State of the Union address could offer President Biden a political opportunity to address the situation and apply pressure while visually reflecting the current political tension in the country.