Only two members were staking out aisle seats on the House floor in the hours before President Trump was set to enter the chamber and deliver his first address to a joint sessions of Congress.
Bigger crowds have lined up as early as 7 a.m. to get the choicest seats in previous years. One long-time Capitol employee charged with staffing the galleries told the Washington Examiner he’s never seen such a paltry turnout.
As of 6 p.m., only Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., was in place to receive a handshake from Trump from the main camera angle.
Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., was also saving a seat, but off in the corner of the Democratic side in a spot unlikely to attract much attention.
Since the advent of C-SPAN, members have planted themselves at the edge of the aisle the president walks down to reach the dais so as to be seen glad-handing with the commander in chief.
