Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Friday she likely won’t be able to attend President Biden’s first address to Congress next week because of COVID safety restrictions in place in the House chamber.
Ocasio-Cortez, during a virtual town hall meeting, said House leadership and the most senior members of Congress will get first dibs to be in the chamber for Biden’s Wednesday night speech– and the second-termer representing portions of The Bronx and Congress won’t make the cut.
“I would love to attend the joint address. Unfortunately there are very strict COVID provisions that the House has put in place,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“So, I do not believe I will be able to enter the chamber for the joint address.”
The Democratic Socialist firebrand said because of the social distancing restrictions attendance will largely be limited to “senior members of House leadership” and Senate leaders.
Only about 200 people will be in attendance, House of Representative officials told Bloomberg News.
The House chamber has enough space to accommodate 1,100 people.