By Olivia Beavers

Vice President JD Vance entered the House chamber roughly 30 minutes before the president's State of the Union Address was slated to begin. He shook hands with the various House Republicans lining both sides of the aisle, including Reps. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Nancy Mace of South Carolina. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) followed behind Vance.

Some Republicans had worked to claim their seats at the entrance Tuesday morning, which will allow them access to the president, Vance, and other VIPs walking in - in addition to getting their faces on television cameras.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 24, 2026 20:50 ET (01:50 GMT)

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