During an appearance on CNN on Friday morning, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) called out House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) for refusing to extend an invitation to Kenyan President William Ruto to speak to Congress during a rare visit to Washington, D.C.
More than 500 guests attended President Joe Biden's red carpet event on Thursday night celebrating 60 years of relations between the two countries, with former President Barack Obama making an appearance along with "business leaders, typical Washington types and a few random celebrities, such as actor Wilmer Valderrama, 'American Pie' singer Don McLean and author Barbara Kingsolver," reported the Washington Post.
Speaking with CNN host John Berman, the New York Democrat claimed it was disgraceful that Johnson, the GOP leader in the House ignored Ruto's availability during his visit.
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"I'm very upset with Speaker Johnson because of his snub of President Ruto last night, he's the first African head of state to be here in almost 18 years so since anyone has been able to address the full session of Congress and to have him snub him the way that he just shows disrespect I think of an African nation," he told the host.
"As you see, all others that have come have been honored with reference to being at a joint session of Congress," he continued and referenced a recent invitation to embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu to address Congress and adding, "So for the speaker to make this announcement even while president Ruto is here and snubbed him, just seems to me that Speaker Johnson just playing political games here."
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