Behind-the-Scenes at the State of the Union

By Stefanie F. Seldin, President & CEO, Rebuilding Together Philadelphia

Congressman Dwight Evans, Stefanie F. Seldin & Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries

The State of the Union (SOTU) is one big schmooze-a-thon. First, the partisan receptions – I was an invited guest at one and an accidental guest at the other.

I was lucky to be invited by Congressman Dwight Evans to attend this year’s State of the Union, the first one since 2020 where members of Congress could invite a guest. Before we went to the receptions, I spent a half hour with the Congressman, a tireless champion of affordable housing, updating him and his staff about the home preservation and housing justice work of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. We brainstormed policy ideas that might be accomplished in a divided Congress. Underscore “might.” Perhaps you could hear the shouts of “liar!” and “that’s your fault!” from several Republicans, but I’m positive those at home could hear the boos and mocking laughter from their TV. President Joe Biden made his pitch for unity, but from where I sat, I am not hopeful.

I was seated in Gallery 7 – right above the cameras focused at the President

Back to the schmoozing. There was amazing food (short rib, salmon-on-a-stick, mashed potato-stuffed mushrooms, American flag shortbread cookies) at the Democrats’ reception hosted by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. What I noticed at the Republicans’ reception was the alcohol. To be fair, there may have been food, but my guide and I, as the guests of a Democrat, weren’t actually invited to Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s reception, so we scooched out of there quickly. Maybe the booze was why there was so much yelling from the right side of the aisle? Interestingly though, every member of Congress – no matter what side of the aisle - wanted to say hello and shake President Biden’s hand. Maybe there’s hope?

After the receptions, guests were required to be in their seats in the Gallery of the House of Representatives by 8:25 pm. The Deputy Sergeant at Arms welcomed the vice president and senators to the House side. Then he welcomed the diplomatic corps, the justices of the Supreme Court, and the cabinet. And finally, POTUS! Sadly, phones are not allowed, so I have no photos during the President’s speech. My assigned seat was between George Ray of Miami and Sydney Barron, the wife of Ruben Gallego, a congressman and candidate for Senate in Arizona running against Kyrsten Sinema, who recently left the Democratic party to become an Independent. That night, Sinema wore a bright yellow dress. George likened her to a banana, which I appreciated. Hearing George and I mock her husband’s opponent’s couture, Sydney only raised her eyes – she was very politic (and very pregnant – congrats to her and Rep. Gallego).

Three things stuck with me on this memorable night: President Biden included affordable housing and the importance of keeping seniors in their homes in his speech, vital to our organization’s mission. Second, Congressman Evans generously introduced me to many Representatives from Pennsylvania, including Madeleine Dean who used to volunteer with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia.

Stefanie F. Seldin & Congresswoman Madeleine Dean

Finally, I will remember Jason Greene II, who as Rep. Evan’s Legislative Aide, expertly guided me around the Capitol. Jason is from Mt. Airy and attended Science Leadership Academy (SLA) and Penn. Remember his name – he is a rising star.

One somber note (besides the heckling) was my briefing from Rep. Evans’ staff about the availability of a “hood mask” in case of an emergency. It is an understatement to call security that evening noticeable. The legacy of the January 6th insurrection lives on.

Truthfully, this was not my first SOTU. After college, I worked as a legislative aide for my home state Senator, Bob Graham (D-FL). At the time, I stood in the very back of the chambers, seeing nothing, but I could hear President George H.W. Bush (don’t do the math, please). I was not invited to any receptions. I did not have a seat looking straight at the President.

Now my home state (commonwealth!) is Pennsylvania; I was proud to say I was from Philadelphia when I met many Representatives with Congressman Evans, including Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City. The Super Bowl bet was on: the Congressman from the losing city either had to buy cheesesteaks or BBQ for the entire office of the winner.

Rebuilding Together Philadelphia provides free safe and healthy home repairs to prevent displacement of long-term residents, to preserve generational wealth derived from home equity and to challenge the systemic, racial inequities in housing. While many people thought Tyre Nichols’ mother was applauding elected officials in the chamber, I thought she was saying “do something.” After all the spectacle, which I loved and was truly honored to witness, what I will hold fast are the President’s last words: “Let’s commit ourselves to make the words of Tyre’s mom true. Something good must come of this.”