House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is asking President Donald Trump to reschedule the State of the Union because of the government shutdown.
In a letter sent to the President Wednesday morning, Pelosi requested that Trump either delay or submit the annual address in writing, citing historical precedent and security concerns.
"During the 19th Century and up until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, these annual State of the Union messages were delivered to Congress in writing," Pelosi wrote, adding that no SOTU address has been given during a government shutdown since 1977.
"Sadly," Pelosi concluded, "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 makes a good case.
It seems unlikely that Trump would willingly forego the spotlight, or the chance to deliver a televised speech.
There are those who feel that the speech, no matter how Trump gives it, would be pointless.
The country is tired of being lied to by Trump.
Jokes about Trump's literacy came rushing in.
Trump's third government shutdown - the longest in history - is now on its 26th day. If it drags on another two weeks, estimates say the economy will take a $6 billion hit.
We can also expect to see a steady drop in GDP, as 800,000 federal workers go without pay. CNBC added that "greater losses" to the economy will arise "from private contractors also out of work and other government spending and functions that won't occur."