Minnesota Democratic Lawmakers Make Statements With State Of The Union Guests
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- President Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night -- the second of his presidency.
The president will face a crowd that he's never had to deal with before: A Democratic Speaker sitting directly behind him, and a room full of majority Democrats.
It is a political ritual, and many politicians are bringing guests. Democratic Senator Tina Smith's guest is Minnesota's new Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who is the highest-ranking elected Native American state executive in the country.
"I'm really honored and humbled to represent the state of Minnesota, but also to be here as someone from the Native community as well. It's powerful," Flanagan said. "At least three indigenous women will be in the room tonight with President Trump."
Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar is hosting Nicole Smith Holt, a Richfield resident whose diabetic son died because he could not afford insulin, who says she is sending a message to the president.
"Less than a year ago, he announced to the world that pharmaceutical companies are getting away with murder, and we haven't seen much movement on his behalf," Smith Holt said. "And it is time that he stops talking about it and work with our elected officials to pass laws and prevent future deaths."
Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is bringing a Liberian woman who lives in Minnesota, who may be deported.
Congresswoman Angie Craig brought a Minnesota farmer who is having trouble with out-of-reach health care premiums.
Republicans we contacted are bringing friends and family. Minnesota's own Mike Lindell, the founder of My Pillow, is a special guest of Trump and the White House.
