Washington, Feb. 6 : President Barack Obama will hold his first White House press conference Monday night during the prime time TV slot, the White House said Thursday.

According to the Washington Times, Obama is also considering addressing a joint session of Congress on February 24.

First year presidents traditionally do not give State of the Union speeches but have often addressed joint sessions of Congress in what is basically the equivalent of a SOTU. The reason that first year speeches are not called a State of the Union address is because the SOTU is supposed to be a report to Congress on the results of the president''s policies over the last year.

As for the press conference, it''s expected that the roughly 900 billion-dollar stimulus package will be near final passage by then.

The Senate is set to vote on it late today and by Monday it will be in conference committee if it is not passed. (ANI)