Full video of the speech as published by theRonald Reagan Presidential Library | |
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| Date | February 18, 1981 (1981-02-18) |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 p.m.EST |
| Duration | 33 minutes |
| Venue | House Chamber,United States Capitol |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′23″N77°00′32″W / 38.88972°N 77.00889°W /38.88972; -77.00889 |
| Type | UnofficialState of the Union Address |
| Participants | |
| Previous | 1981 State of the Union Address |
| Next | 1982 State of the Union Address |
Ronald Reagan, the 40thpresident of the United States, addressed ajoint session of the United States Congress on Wednesday, February 18, 1981. It was his first public address before a joint session. Like aState of the Union Address, it was delivered before the97th United States Congress in the Chamber of theUnited States House of Representatives in theUnited States Capitol.[1] Presiding over this joint session was theHouse speaker,Tip O'Neill, accompanied byGeorge H. W. Bush, thevice president in his capacity as thepresident of the Senate.
The speech was referred to as the "Speech on the Program for Economic Recovery."[2] During his speech, President Reagan outlined his plan for economic recovery, calling for large cuts to taxes and federal spending.[1] Some observers described it at the time as the most comprehensive economic proposal since PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt announced hisNew Deal program in March 1933.[3] When President Reagan handed House Speaker Tip O’Neill the printed copy, O’Neill reportedly said, "Mr. President, good luck."[3]
Secretary of EducationTerrel Bell was thedesignated survivor and did not attend the address in order to maintain acontinuity of government.[4]
Noresponse to this address was given by theDemocratic Party.
| Preceded by | State of the Union addresses 1981 joint session speech | Succeeded by |
