There doesn’t even have to be a speech. Jefferson just sent a letter.
I don’t think getting rid of it is entirely necessary. I always liked seeing Reagan speaking before the Congress. Oh, the times. However, move it to daytime and it makes it less imperial.
Washington went to congress for the first SOTU in person address and was so disrespected by congress that he never went back.
Never mind Jefferson - except for Washington in 1790, NO President delivered his report to Congress in person until Woodrow Wilson in 1913, and a written report was substituted as recently as 1981.
Congress CLEARLY does not have to provide THIS venue for Obama's required report to them, and, IMO, they shouldn't.