Addressing his first divided Congress, Biden says 'the soul of this nation is strong'

President Biden entered the chamber just after 9 p.m. ET to expected applause from the attendees.

He shook the hands of many lawmakers as he made his way to the podium.

Members began steadily streaming into the House chamber on Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris around 8:30 p.m. ET, including some former lawmakers who are also using floor privileges.

The realities of a divided government are on full display -- little conversation between Democrats and Republicans across the aisle on the House floor.

The vice president has been making small talk with House Speaker McCarthy -- overheard on the mics saying it's a "packed house."

Former Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., was seen joking to Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.-- infamous for shouting "you lie!" at former President Barack Obama during a joint address of Congress -- to "sit down, sit down Joe."

Former Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson is at the speech as one of the only former Trump officials spotted thus far.

Newly independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema made her way in, standing next to GOP Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and was then speaking with Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

For some, the most coveted seats appear to be along the aisle. That's where embattled Rep. George Santos chose to sit, in position to shake the president's hand as he enters and exits the chamber. Santos still has time to switch seats.

Some of the president's fiercest critics are also along the aisle: Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was carrying around a white balloon through the halls of Congress for much of the day to mock the administration's handling of the suspected Chinese spy balloon -- but decided to not bring it into the chamber.

Speaker McCarthy's guest, Enes Freedom, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Cabinet secretaries Pete Buttigieg and Jennifer Granholm and pollster Frank Luntz have also filed into the room.

-ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott, Katherine Faulders and John Parkinson

A moment between embattled Rep. George Santos and Sen. Mitt Romney ahead of Biden’s speech is catching attention on social media.

The two Republicans appeared to be exchanging insults on the House floor before the president's arrival.

"You should be embarrassed ... you shouldn't be here," Romney seemingly said to Santos, who was sitting off the center aisle of the chamber.

The two went back and forth again before Romney walked away.

On another feed, Santos can be seen repeatedly saying "what an a------" to his seat mate, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in apparent reference to Romney.

-ABC News' Justin Fishel and Ben Siegel

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh has been dubbed the “designated survivor” for Biden’s second State of the Union address, according to a White House official.

The designated survivor is the Cabinet member chosen to stay behind in an undisclosed location in case disaster strikes as the president, vice president, top officials and members of Congress gather at the Capitol.

Walsh is 11th in the presidential line of succession and is set to soon leave the administration for a position with the NHL players' association, ABC News has confirmed.

-with ABC News' Luke Barr, Justin Gomez and MaryAlice Parks