Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Taylor, Grant, Arthur, Cleveland, T. Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Coolidge, Hoover, F. Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, G. W. Bush, and Trump never served in Congress.
Jefferson, Cleveland, both Roosevelts, Wilson, Coolidge, Carter, Reagan, Clinton and G. W. Bush, among others, had been Governors. Washington, Taylor, Grant, T. Roosevelt and Eisenhower, among others, were war heroes. Jefferson, Taft and Hoover, among others, were Cabinet Members. (Sorry, not sure about J. Adams and Arthur.)
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Zachary Taylor (12th POTUS) is the first US President to be elected with little or no previous political career. He was a war hero who's success on the battlefield in the Mexican-American War, brought him political support before the war was even over.
There was a Zachary Taylor who later served in the US House of Representatives, but the congressman was born shortly after President Taylor took office. I'm unsure if there is any relation.
Additionally, it should be clarified that both the Senate and House are considered part of Congress; though some believe that Congress only refers to the House. I only say this because Martin Van Buren (8th POTUS) never served in the House, but he was a Senator.
Previous contributors answered with George Washington, however since your question included the Continental Congress, that is incorrect, he was the Virginian Delegate to the First Continental Congress.
Washington, John Adams, Jefferson , Taylor, Grant, Arthur, Cleveland,Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Coolidge, Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Carter, Clinton and George W. Bush all became President without serving in either house of Congress.
Of course, the first three all served as leaders in the Continental Congresses.
All. Presidents do not pass budgets. Congress does.
5 served in the Continental Congress 15 Served as Senators 19 Served in the House of Representives Some served as members of two of the above at different times. Example: John Tyler was a member of the House of Representives from 1816 to 1821 and was a Senator from 1827 to 1836.
Presidents don't have legislative power. Congress has legislative powers. Presidents don't make laws.
The annual speech that the president gives to the congress is known as the State of the Union. The speech allows presidents to report the condition of the nation and to outline their legislative agenda and priorities.
No president has served a term that was split. Grover Cleveland, served two separate terms, which were split by four years served by another president, Benjamin Harrison..