Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would do an alternative event to the State of the Union address after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told him he may not give the speech in the House of Representatives until the government shutdown is over.
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The clash between two of Washington’s most powerful leaders represented an escalation in a standoff that has resulted in a 33-day partial government closure that threatens the U.S. economy and the livelihoods of 800,000 federal workers.
On Pelosi’s move to lock him out of the House, Trump said at a White House meeting on border security, “It’s a disgrace.”
Pelosi told the president that for now she would not consider a measure authorizing the speech, an annual, televised rite in American politics traditionally delivered in the House chamber.
“Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened,” Pelosi said to Trump in a letter.
Earlier in the day, Trump essentially dared her to disinvite him from making the speech, which was set for Jan. 29.
The State of the Union speech, used by presidents to announce their policy goals for the year, has become a hostage to the showdown between Trump and congressional Democrats over his demand for money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
About a quarter of the government has been shut down since Dec. 22 when some U.S. agencies’ funding expired for reasons unrelated to border security or immigration. Trump at first expressed support for legislation to restore the agencies’ funding. Then he demanded that any shutdown-ending measure must contain $5.7 billion for the border wall, funding that Democrats oppose.
Trump first promised that Mexico would pay for his wall, but Mexico refused and now Trump wants U.S. taxpayers to pay for it.
House Democrats have approved several measures to fully reopen the government, but none has won approval in the Senate, which is controlled by Trump’s fellow Republicans. Test votes on related measures were scheduled for Thursday in the Senate.
Pelosi suggested on Jan. 16 that Trump postpone the State of the Union speech because of the closure.
She cited concerns about security for the event. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump tried to brush aside Pelosi’s concerns and said he planned to deliver the address before the U.S. Congress as scheduled on Jan. 29.
“It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!” Trump wrote to Pelosi.
The president is required to give Congress a report on the nation, but is not required to deliver it in a live, televised address before lawmakers. Many past presidents have delivered it in writing.
The machasheifah will regret it in 2020. The people are not idiots. The Democrats are done.
Why can’t he talk to the wall ?
Trump: I’ll be happy to shut down the government.
Trump: It’s not my fault I didn’t do it.
Trump: Blame Obama.
Trump: Fane news.
“Locked out of the House” Good job Pelosi. I do the same with my Kids when they don’t behave.
Lock her up.
Lock up all dem-o-rats all a bunch of traders. They’re anti American. Should be tried for treason!
The children really need to play nicely.
5.7B is a sneeze to the Annual Budget. The Dems have agreed to securing the southern border many times but are only stubborn as not to pass Trump a win on a campaign promise. The American people are aware and will show them in 2020
what an ANTI-AMERICAN move by Baby Pelosi – she should apologize to the American Citizens and give her rebuttal speech to the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS who support her.
Where are all the other DemocRATS who want to hear the President talk? don’t they have something to say?
she should change her name to AYATOLLAH Pelosi
Trump should have a fireside state of the union to talk to all the citizens plus congress and senate. I would bet for curiosity alone many of the democrats would listen so they can have another state of union hysteria feed back.
Everything bad is a disgrace or a disaster. He has about 5 nouns, 3 verbs and 15 adjectives in his repertoire. The great deal-maker had $25 billion on table from both parties but he said it was a “disgrace” because it would give DACA people a chance at citizenship. Now he maneuvered so that he will get less and give away more than before.
A group of centrist House Democrats, sick of political posturing, is pressing Speaker Nancy Pelosi to counter Trump’s immigration proposal with her own potential compromise. The group, led by freshman Rep. Elaine Luria of Virginia, is asking the California Democrat to offer Trump a vote on his border wall or some sort of negotiated security package in February if he first signs a bill reopening the federal government, according to a draft of the letter obtained by POLITICO.
Why is she so afraid to hear him speak? She must know that the truth hurts. She’s a sick old woman.
Perhaps Vlad Putin could provide a venue for the tragic State of the Union speech.
The President may give any address he may like. He will not be able to do it in Capitol.
Pelosi can continue acting like an elitist and treating the other side like a two year old. But Just warning her, Hillary tried that game too against the deplorables and she lost. Good luck pelosi
Just checked with Vladimir Putin. Trump has been invited to give the State of the Soviet Union address at the Kremlin.
When Trump and Pelosi were kids they attended the same nursery school and the teacher asked what they want to do when they grow up. Pelosi said she plans to never grow up and she’ll philosophize so that no one will realize she’s not working. The teacher nicknamed her ‘Pelosi’ (short for philosopher). Trump said he wants to be on TV and win every fight and debate he’s part of. Teacher nicknamed him ‘Trump’ (as in trump your opponent).
All the republicons venting here can’t admit that Pelosi did a real number on agent orange. Way to go, girl!