Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Wednesday that he supports delaying President Trump’s State of the Union address if the partial government shutdown is still in effect.
“Well, what is the state of the union? The government is closed because of President Trump,” Schumer told reporters at a press conference. “If it continues to be closed on the 29th, I think it’s a good idea to delay it until the government is open.”
Schumer’s comments came hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the speech, which was scheduled for Jan. 29, should be delayed given “security concerns” that the Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security are not currently funded as part of the shutdown.
“Sadly, given the security concerns and unless government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th,” Pelosi wrote.
She said later in the day Wednesday the president would be more than welcome to reschedule it for a date once the shutdown ends.
Responding to Pelosi, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement that DHS and Secret Service are “fully prepared” to staff the State of the Union.
