State of the Union 2019

President Donald Trump flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi

President Donald Trump flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi during his second State of the Union Address. Photo by Kristie Boyd.

President Donald Trump discussed health care, national security, immigration, and other topics.

President Donald Trump discussed health care, national security, immigration, and other topics at his second State of the Union Address. Photo by Phi Nguyen.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi

President Donald Trump shakes hands with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi before delivering his second State of the Union Address. Photo by Dana Barciniak.

Members of Congress and inguished guests gathered to hear President Donald Trump

Members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet officials, members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other distinguished guests gathered to hear President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union Address. Photo by Phi Nguyen.

President Donald Trump delivers his second State of the Union Address

President Donald Trump delivered his second State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress on February 5, 2019.  Members of the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, along with hundreds of distinguished guests, attended the nationally televised address in the House chamber. 

"We meet tonight at a moment of unlimited potential," President Trump said. "As we begin a new Congress, I stand here ready to work with you to achieve historic breakthroughs for all."  

In his speech, President Trump discussed a variety of topics, such as health care, immigration, national security, and foreign affairs. The President also announced what he called "the first-ever government-wide initiative focused on economic empowerment for women in developing countries" and congratulated the record-breaking number of women serving in Congress.  

"This is the time to reignite the American imagination," the President said as he concluded his speech. "This is the time to search for the tallest summit and set our sights on the brightest star. This is the time to rekindle the bonds of love and loyalty and memory that link us together as citizens, as neighbors, as patriots." 

While this is the third time President Trump has addressed a joint session of Congress, this is his second State of the Union Address. There is typically no State of the Union Address by a new president in their first year in office. President John F. Kennedy is the only exception, as he delivered a State of the Union Address during his first year in office in 1961. 

Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution requires the President to “give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” While the Constitution does not specify how often such an address should be given, presidents traditionally deliver the State of the Union Address once a year. 

Find out more about the history of the State of the Union Address from the House Historian’s website.