History was made yesterday when US President Joe Biden delivered his debut speech to a joint session of Congress with two powerful women taking their places behind him, on the rostrum for the first time ever.
House representative Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has been in the position before now during presidential speeches during previous presidents.
However, 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 primetime address were women.
Read Also: Biden To Propose Tax Hike On Richest To Pay For Investments
‘Madam Speaker. Madam Vice President,’ Biden said proudly as he turned to the women and as he began his address to the admiration of many who were present.
‘No president has ever said those words from this podium, And it’s about time.‘ he submitted
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.
The moment marked a milestone in the nation’s nearly 245-year history, and female lawmakers noted the symbolism regarding the strides that women have taken to reach positions of American power.
Expressing his joy, House Democrat Barbara Lee posted on Twitter saying; ‘Like so many women, I feel pride in this moment and seeing this representation, It’s long overdue.’
It also marked a first of another sort: both the speaker and the vice president were wearing masks, another key plank of policies implemented in Congress beginning last year to guard against the spread of Covid-19.
Harris and Pelosi are the first and second, respectively, in the presidential line of succession.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK