https://www.axios.com/2024/03/17/biden-state-of-the-union-invitation-republicansWHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
W.Va. — House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said GOP leadership should reconsider how they invite presidents to give the State of the Union address, citing President Biden's "divisive" speech.
Why it matters: Emmer argued Biden's remarks were a "hyper-partisan" campaign speech, telling Axios the president should not be invited to address Congress next year if he's elected to a second term.
What they're saying: The Minnesota Republican said he's bullish on former President Trump's odds of defeating Biden in November, but felt Biden's speech should have had a more unifying tone.
>"That was about the most divisive State of the Union — I wouldn't extend him an invitation next year, if that's what we're going to get," Emmer said during an interview at the House GOP retreat.
>"He's not going to be there next year — it'll be a different president. But I think you've got to rethink issuing invitations for a State of the Union if it's not going to be a State of the Union, and that was not. That was a campaign speech," he added.
Flashback: Emmer is not the first Republican to float blocking Biden from giving the annual speech, with multiple members having sought to prevent the president from speaking this year.
>Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) introduced a bill aimed at barring Biden from delivering the speech unless he submitted his budget and national security proposal on time.
>Former House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) called for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to rescind his invitation unless Biden took stronger action to address securing the border.
