Photography

Photos: The scene at President Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress

President Biden’s first address to Congress was an invite-only affair and no guests were allowed. The restrictions for the event were due to covid-19 safety protocols, but had the added security benefit of a limited number of people inside the Capitol for the president’s first major indoor event since he took office just weeks after the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Military personnel and the Capitol Police department set up outside the Capitol.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) works in her Capitol Hill office with her director of speechwriting, Shana Mansbach, on a statement ahead of Biden's address.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) sits in her seat in the House Chamber ahead of Biden's address.

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

White House staff members polish the teleprompter glass.

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Media members report from the Cannon House Office Building.

Erin Scott/Reuters

Erin Scott/Reuters

The first name of Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) is misspelled on his seat placeholder in the House Chamber.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), right, gestures to Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.), far left, as they arrive for the speech.

Andrew Harnik/AP

Andrew Harnik/AP

From left, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) pose for a selfie photo upon their arrival.

Caroline Brehman/AP

Caroline Brehman/AP

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), center, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), left, arrive.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) look at each other after arriving in the chamber.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) and Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.) chat.

Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Congress members arrive in the chamber.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Audience members socially distance in the gallery.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) enters the chamber.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Graham is greeted with a fist bump.

Chip Somodevilla/AFP/Getty Images

Chip Somodevilla/AFP/Getty Images

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. arrives.

Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

First lady Jill Biden waves to the crowd as second gentleman Doug Emhoff applauds.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) takes a photo before the speech.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Harris, left, and Pelosi watch as people arrive ahead of Biden's address.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

House Sergeant-at-Arms William Walker announces the arrival of Biden.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden arrives in the chamber.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden, left, greets Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with a fist bump.

Andrew Harnik/AP

Andrew Harnik/AP

Biden hands his speech to Harris and Pelosi.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden elbow-bumps with Pelosi.

Pool/Reuters

Pool/Reuters

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), center, applauds as Biden speaks.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden speaks as Harris, left, and Pelosi listen.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden delivers his address to a socially distanced joint session of Congress.

Jonathan Ernst/AFP/Getty Images

Jonathan Ernst/AFP/Getty Images

Republican Sens. Mike Lee (Utah), left, Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Ted Cruz (Tex.), center, and James E. Risch (Idaho) listen to the speech.

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Biden speaks as Harris and Pelosi applaud,

Melina Mara/AFP/Getty Images

Melina Mara/AFP/Getty Images

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin applauds Biden.

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Members of the gallery stand and applaud.

Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Michael Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Biden speaks to Congress.

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Jonathan Ernst/AP

Biden pauses during his address.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden addresses members of Congress.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden speaks with Waters after delivering his address.

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Melina Mara/The Washington Post

Biden, center bottom, speaks with members of Congress after his address.

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

EPA-EFE/Shutterstock