"[The President] shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union...."
It's the opening clause of a chunk of text that helps define the nature of executive power, and especially the relationship between it and the legislature. It allows him to help set Congress' agenda. Obviously it gave the president the constitutional responsibility to give his speech this week - though notice there is nothing mandating that it be given in a speech - more on that below. Here it is in context:
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
In 2305 we will spend time unpacking much of what is contained in this section. For now here is background and commentary on the SOTU address:
- Heritage Guide to the Constitution: State of the Union.
- The American Presidency Project: text of past addresses.
- CFA: Seven Facts about the State of the Union Address.
