Report: Many GOPers Plan To Skip Biden’s First Speech To Congress If Invited

WILMINGTON, DE - JULY 28:  Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center, on July 28, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden addressed the fourth component of his “Build Back Better” economic recovery plan for working families, how his plan will address systemic racism and advance racial economic equity in the United States.  (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the William Hicks Anderson Community Center on July 28, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
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A lot of Republicans reportedly won’t attend President Joe Biden’s first address to Congress next week if invited.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office has not yet decided how many tickets for the event will be allotted to Democratic and GOP lawmakers in both chambers, but Republican leaders told Punchbowl that there’s little desire among rank-and-file members of their caucuses to go regardless.

“I don’t think I’ll probably attend,” Senate Republican Conference Vice Chair Joni Earnst (R-IA) said, according to Punchbowl.

It’s unclear why so many GOP lawmakers wouldn’t show up if they get invited, though some of them cited logistics as a reason for their absence.

However, a handful of Republicans said they do want to attend Biden’s speech, including Trump loyalists like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).

“I think the whole House should be there,” Jordan told Punchbowl. “He’s supposed to be talking to Congress.”

TPM has reached out to the White House for comment.

Biden is slated to give his remarks next Wednesday, right before his 100th day in office.

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Notable Replies

  1. Children, nothing but whiny, bratty children.

  2. Republicans refuse to even attend? So much for “bipartisanship.”

  3. And people wonder why nothing can get done. Party leadership should be making the event mandatory, excluding illness.

    Now, here’s the question - did the Dems all show up to all of T****'s speeches?

    OT: Speaking of T****, won’t this fry his onions?

  4. And here is one reason why…Well worth the watch
    You’d think a lawyer would know not to ask a question to which he didn’t know the answer. Not Sen. Kennedy of Louisiana. Stacey Abrams blew him away.

  5. Don’t invite them then.

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