<P> Both the Speaker and the Vice President sit at the Speaker 's desk , behind the President for the duration of the speech . If either is unavailable , the next highest - ranking member of the respective house substitutes . Once the chamber settles down from the President 's arrival , the Speaker officially presents the President to the joint session of Congress . The President then delivers the speech from the podium at the front of the House Chamber . </P>
<P> Both the Speaker and the Vice President sit at the Speaker 's desk , behind the President for the duration of the speech . If either is unavailable , the next highest - ranking member of the respective house substitutes . Once the chamber settles down from the President 's arrival , the Speaker officially presents the President to the joint session of Congress . The President then delivers the speech from the podium at the front of the House Chamber . </P>
who is sitting behind the president during the state of the union address
who is sitting behind the president during the state of the union address
the Speaker and the Vice President
the Speaker and the Vice President