St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon in the Capitol

Dear Cloture Historian -

This month, Congressional leadership is going to be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon in the Capitol. Has this been around for a long time? Thanks.

- Paint Me Green

Dear Paint Me Green,

Ah, the luck of the Irish, or luck of Congressional leadership to be having that much of an awesome party!!! Ireland has always had a long history with the United States, and Congress in particular. That history dates as far back as Charles Stewart Parnell’s, member of the Irish Parliament, speech to the House of Representatives on February 2, 1880 to raise funds for famine relief in Ireland. However, the history of the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon is actually relatively recent. The tradition only goes as far back as 1983. At the time, Ronald Reagan was President of the United States and Tip O’Neill was Speaker of the House. The two couldn’t have been more ideologically and politically different (A Republican President and Democratic Speaker).  However, there was one thing that got the two together and that they shared: their rich Irish heritage. Despite being fierce opponents during the day, the two grew to be friends. One story goes how President Reagan would call Speaker O’Neill and say, “Hey Tip, is it 6o’clock yet?” in which Speaker O’Neill would reply, “Why yes it is Mr. President.” After the work day had ended, the two were known to have gone and shared a few drinks together at local DC establishments.

On March 17, 1983, Speaker Tip O’Neill, President Ronald Reagan and Minority Leader Bob Michel celebrated the first Speaker’s St. Patty’s Day luncheon after Reagan and O’Neill had suggested doing a luncheon together to celebrate their Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day. Originally held in H-209 of the Capitol building, then the Speaker’s
office, the event has since moved to the Rayburn Room in the House side of the Capitol.

The practice of the Speaker hosting the President for a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon continued after Reagan and O’Neill’s luncheon. Future luncheons would feature; President George H.W. Bush and Speaker Jim Wright, President George H.W. Bush and Speaker Tom Foley, President Bill Clinton and Speaker Tom Foley, President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich, President Bill Clinton and Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, President George W. Bush and Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, President George W. Bush and Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This year it will be President Barack H. Obama and Speaker John Boehner, marking the 28th year of the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon between the White House and Congress. Much like the first luncheon in 1983, Congressional Leadership will be invited including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Almost simultaneously, during the St. Patrick’s Day week, the President and the Speaker of the House have traditionally met with the Irish dignitaries to discuss the continued relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the United States.

- Cloture Historian