Foreign Leaders & Dignitaries Who Have Addressed the U.S. Congress

Joint Meetings and Joint Sessions

Historically there are three methods for receiving foreign leaders and dignitaries: Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, and separate House and Senate Receptions.

A Joint Meeting is the preferred method for receiving addresses from foreign leaders and dignitaries. Joint Meetings are used for special commemorative events and to receive addresses by domestic dignitaries. To initiate a Joint Meeting, both houses, by resolution or by unanimous consent, declare themselves in recess for a joint gathering in the House Chamber. House Rule IV governs this procedure: