Wine Country Times

California Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) recently invited a ceremonial guest from each county in his district to virtually attend President Joe Biden’s first address to Congress on April 28.

Traditionally, members of Congress are allowed to invite a guest to attend the president's first speech to Congress, but due to COVID-19 related restrictions, this year's invitations were ceremonial.

"Though we cannot have guests in person to President Biden’s first address to Congress this year due to the pandemic, I am honored to invite a ceremonial guest from each of the counties in our district," Thompson wrote in an April 28 Twitter post.

Thompson’s ceremonial guests were invited to help bring to light the coronavirus pandemic's various impacts on the 5th Congressional District and highlight how the American Rescue Plan is boosting recovery for local working families and small businesses.

“The last year has been tough for people across our district and our nation, but we are working hard to bring back every Federal resource and dollar to help crush COVID-19 and boost the economic recovery for working families and small businesses," Thompson said in a statement.

Thompson's guests included Council Member Tiffany Grimsley, City of Hercules, California; Weston Seifert, Owner of Saw Shop Public House in Kelseyville, Lake County; Betty Labastida, OLE Heath volunteer and Board of Directors member and retired nurse practitioner; Arnold Pulido, Owner of Kehaulani’s Café in Vallejo, California; and Rohnert Park Vice Mayor Jackie Elward, who is helping to distribute the more than $8 million in federal funding to the city's recovery efforts.

"They represent the deep impact the virus has had on our district, but also the incredible strides we are making to recover in part thanks to the American Rescue Plan. Together, we will continue this essential work," Thompson said.

Biden was invited to make the address by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and delivered his address on April 28, roughly his 100th day in office.

Newly inaugurated presidents typically make their first address to Congress within weeks of taking office, though Biden delayed his speech due to pandemic concerns, according to The Hill.

Only a limited number of House members and senators were allowed in the chamber and lawmakers were not permitted to invite guests because of pandemic health precautions that remain in place.