Pages

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Trump tells Pelosi he will give State of the Union during shutdown, setting up possible standoff

President Donald Trump told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi he will give the State of the Union address in the House chamber next week as planned, setting up a potential clash after the Democratic leader urged him not give the speech during a partial government shutdown.

In a letter to Pelosi dated Wednesday, Trump wrote that he will be "honoring your invitation" to speak on Jan. 29. The president said "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's letter does not necessarily mean he will deliver remarks in the House chamber. Pelosi can technically bar him from the room, and both chambers of Congress need to pass a resolution setting up the joint session of Congress where he would speak.

A Pelosi spokesman did not immediately respond to CNBC's request to comment.

In a letter to Trump dated Jan. 16, Pelosi cited "security concerns" related to the Secret Service's ability to protect the president during the lapse in funding. The longest shutdown ever is now in its 33rd day.

In his response Wednesday, Trump said the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service contacted him and said "there would be absolutely no problem regarding security with respect to the event."

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

from Top News & Analysis https://cnb.cx/2CHcKVJ
via IFTTT

No comments:

Post a Comment