President Donald Trump will deliver his first joint address to Congress in his second term, a tradition dating back to President Ronald Reagan. The U.S. Constitution mandates that the president update Congress and propose policies, typically done in January or February. Previously known as the “President’s Annual Message to Congress,” it was renamed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the “Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union.” Reagan’s first address in 1981 focused on economic recovery, setting a precedent followed by subsequent presidents like George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, each outlining their administration goals in their first-year addresses. These inaugural speeches carry significant weight akin to subsequent State of the Union addresses. The opposition party also gives a televised response, as will Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan this year. This joint address serves as a pivotal moment in the president’s term, setting the agenda for the year ahead and reflecting on the past year’s events. This tradition underscores the importance of presidential communication with Congress and the American public.