[20060307]RS20021_总统国情咨文：常见问题解答.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20021Updated March 7, 2006The Presidents State of the Union Message:Frequently Asked QuestionsMichael KolakowskiInformation Research SpecialistKnowledge Services Group Thomas H. NealeAnalyst in American National Government Government and Finance DivisionSummaryThe Constitution mandates that the President “shall from time to time give to theCongress Information on the State of the Union, and recommend to their Considerationsuch Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” The Presidents State of theUnion Message and address were known as the Presidents Annual Message to Congressuntil well into the 20th century. Presidents Washington and Adams delivered theirmessages to Congress in person, but President Jefferson abandoned the practice as“monarchical” and time consuming, sending written messages instead. This precedentwas followed until President Wilson personally appeared before Congress in 1913.President Franklin Roosevelt adopted Wilsons practice of personal delivery, and it hassince become a contemporary tradition. With the advent of radio (1923) and telev