Sen. Rand Paul directly rebuked Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent comments that suggested President Trump delay his annual State of the Union address; urging the Commander-in-Chief to hold the event in the United States Senate.
“Senator McConnell is in charge of the Senate. If Mrs. Pelosi refuses to allow the president to deliver the State of the Union in the House, I propose we move it to the Senate and make it happen!” tweeted Paul.
Senator McConnell is in charge of the Senate. If Mrs. Pelosi refuses to allow the president to deliver the State of the Union in the House, I propose we move it to the Senate and make it happen!
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 17, 2019
Pelosi cited “security concerns” for the event; baselessly claiming the partial government shutdown could make the address a dangerous situation for politicians and guests.
JOE MANCHIN: Pelosi Taking ‘Wrong Approach’ on State of the Union Delay
Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin rebuked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s recent calls to delay the President’s State of the Union Address until the federal government re-opens this week; calling her political maneuver the “wrong approach.”
Manchin was speaking with MSNBC when he was asked to comment on Pelosi’s insistence the Commander-in-Chief delay the speech or submit his comments in writing.
“I’m not sure what her intentions are – I have much respect for Speaker Pelosi – but I think this is a wrong approach to be taking,” Manchin said. “The approach by saying we’re going to shut this down … because of security — I think our staff, and I spoke to Capitol police, they’re still in and getting paid.”
NICE TRY NANCY: Secret Service REJECTS Pelosi’s Claims About 'State of the Union' Safety
The Secret Service corrected Speaker Pelosi’s recent claims that the President should delay his State of the Union address over safety concerns Wednesday; saying the agency is willing and capable to ensure politicians’ safety during the event.
“Secret Service is fully ready to offer full protection during the #SOTU, a sr. law enforcement official tells @petewilliamsnbc. ‘It’s a no-fail mission,’ the official says. Though USSS personnel are not being paid, the intelligence & protection functions are fully staffed. (1/2),” posted a reporter for NBC News on social media.
“We’ve been planning for this for months, as we always do. It didn’t start up 29 days ago,” the official said. (2/2),” he added.
"We've been planning for this for months, as we always do. It didn't start up 29 days ago," the official said. (2/2)
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) January 16, 2019
The rebuke comes hours after Pelosi urged President Trump to delay the address until after the federal government officially reopens.