Overview

On January 25, 1988, President Ronald Reagan addressed a joint session of the 100th United States Congress in what became the final State of the Union message of his presidency. The State of the Union is the Constitutionally mandated occasion for the president to report on the nation's condition and to recommend policy priorities to Congress.

Political and historical context

The speech came near the end of Reagan's second term during a year of domestic and international transitions. Domestically, the 1980s economic policies often labeled "Reaganomics," tax reform enacted in the mid-1980s, and debates over deficit reduction framed much discussion. In foreign affairs, arms-control milestones such as negotiations with the Soviet Union and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces process were part of the broader backdrop. The address also fell in an election year that would see Vice President George H. W. Bush succeed Reagan in January 1989.

Typical themes and focus

State of the Union addresses commonly cover a mix of topics including economic policy, budget priorities, social programs, national security, and legislative proposals. Presidents use the speech to outline immediate goals for Congress and to set a public agenda for the coming year. Media coverage, public response, and congressional action following the address influence how it is remembered.

Designated survivor and ceremony

For continuity of government, one cabinet member does not attend the joint session and is kept at a secure, undisclosed location as the designated survivor. During this address, Secretary of the Interior Donald Hodel appeared as the administration's designated survivor; he is referenced by name at Donald Hodel. The role is a precautionary protocol intended to preserve presidential succession if the attendees were incapacitated.

Legacy and significance

As Reagan's last State of the Union, the 1988 speech is often viewed in the context of his two-term record and the transition that followed. It encapsulated administrative priorities near the end of an era defined by a particular set of economic and foreign-policy approaches and provided a platform to summarize accomplishments while urging action on outstanding issues.

Further information

  • Full transcript and historical materials are available through official archives and records: see links associated with this entry, including archival references.
  • For background on the congressional session that received the speech, consult resources on the 100th Congress.
  • For protocol details about continuity of government and the role of the designated survivor, consult government continuity guidance.