It's common for foreign dignitaries to visit Washington D.C. for summits at the White House or meetings on Capitol Hill. But not every foreign leader is invited to make a joint address to Congress — that is a special distinction.
"Typically it's nations that have close relationships with the United States, are friendly to the United States. You don't see Congress inviting Xi Jinping or, you know, Vladimir Putin to give a joint address. So I think it's also viewed as kind of a unique opportunity and honor," explained Elizabeth Hoffman, the director of Congressional Affairs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Over the past 200 years, dozens of foreign dignitaries have visited Washington, D.C., and addressed Congress, providing those leaders with a special opportunity to reach the American public.
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"Leaders of foreign countries often interface with the president, but by addressing Congress, they're speaking more to average Americans and directly to the people's representatives in a more nuanced way," said Hoffman.
Foreign presidents, prime ministers, kings and even the Pope have taken the time to share their messages with American lawmakers and the American public. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set a new record Wednesday when he made his fourth address to Congress, the most of any foreign dignitary.
His speech came as the Israel-Hamas war nears the 10-month mark.
"I'm very interested to watch how the members receive his message," said Hoffman.
