Full video of the speech as published by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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| Date | February 18, 1981 (1981-02-18) |
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| Time | 9:00 p.m. EST |
| Duration | 33 minutes |
| Venue | House Chamber, United States Capitol |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′23″N 77°00′32″W / 38.88972°N 77.00889°W / 38.88972; -77.00889 |
| Type | Unofficial State of the Union Address |
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| Previous | 1981 State of the Union Address |
| Next | 1982 State of the Union Address |
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, addressed a joint session of the United States Congress on Wednesday, February 18, 1981. It was his first public address before a joint session. Similar to a State of the Union Address, it was delivered before the 97th United States Congress in the Chamber of the United States House of Representatives in the United States Capitol.[1] Presiding over this joint session was the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Tip O'Neill, accompanied by George H. W. Bush, the vice president in his capacity as the president 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 President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his New 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 Education Terrel Bell was the designated survivor and did not attend the address in order to maintain a continuity of government.[4]
Noresponse to this address was given by the Democratic Party.
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