Guest list intended to tout White House record
The attendees at Biden's address Thursday were invited because each "personify issues or themes" that he will discuss in his speech, the White House said in a statement.
Biden's guests will shine a spotlight the Israel-Gaza conflict (which has fueled progressive criticism against him) and reproductive freedom battles, gun violence prevention, union protections and more.
Standing behind Biden will be Vice President Kamala Harris on his right and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on his left. Members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives will be in attendance.
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More than a dozen family members of Americans who are thought to still be held hostage in Gaza and Mia Schem, a freed Israeli hostage, will be present at the Capitol.
First lady Jill Biden invited three women working to protect reproductive rights in her box: Kate Cox, Latorya Beasley and Maria Shriver.
Jazmin Cazares, the older sister of a 9-year-old victim of the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, will be in attendance, too.
The United Auto Workers union president, Shawn Fain, who recently endorsed Biden, will also be present.