House Republicans call for moving State of the Union to Senate chamber
By Cristina Marcos - 01/17/19 12:22 PM EST
Some House Republicans are pushing for President Trump to deliver the State of the Union address in the Senate chamber after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) suggested it be rescheduled due to the government shutdown.
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) is circulating a letter asking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Vice President Pence to consider moving the speech across the Capitol. He also suggested that House Democrats should get low-priority seating.
"Space limitations may restrict the number of Congressmen who may attend. Inasmuch as House Democrats are responsible for the State of the Union not being timely held in the House chamber, I recommend that House Democrats be at the bottom of the priority list for attendance inasmuch as they are responsible for the lack of adequate space in the first instance," Brooks wrote in the letter.
Ten other lawmakers have signed onto the letter so far, as of midday Thursday, according to a spokesman.
"Holding the State of the Union in the Senate chamber is the best way to reveal the veracity of Speaker Pelosi's alleged once-in-history reason for cancelling or postponing the State of the Union," the letter states.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also suggested earlier Thursday that the address could be moved to the Senate.
"What I would suggest is — Sen. McConnell’s in charge of the Senate; let’s host it in the Senate," Paul said on "Fox & Friends." "This would be the first time in history that the House would deny the president the forum of speaking."
"If she’s going to do that, let’s hold it in the Senate," Paul concluded.
McConnell's office didn't immediately return a request for comment.
Joint sessions and meetings of Congress have typically taken place in the House chamber since 1809.
But according to the Senate historian's office, presidents have delivered addresses in the Senate chamber before, including Presidents Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Harry Truman and Herbert Hoover.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/house/425851-house-republicans-call-for-moving-state-of-the-union-to-senate-chamber