Trump ally threatens to sink State of the Union to put pressure on Biden

Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) suggested that House Republicans might disrupt the State of the Union address to pressure President Joe Biden to accept their legislative priorities.

The Donald Trump ally warned that congressional Republicans might rescind an invitation to address the joint session on March 7 as leverage to force Biden to accept border legislation favored by conservatives after a bipartisan bill failed in the U.S. Senate.

"We need every point of leverage, every single point, including spending, certainly including an address to the people from Congress," Perry said.

"He comes at the invitation of Congress. The Republicans are in charge of the House, there is no reason that we need to invite him to get more propaganda, to actually blame the American people for the crisis he caused," Perry said. "We can spend time reminding America [on] Day One he countervailed the last administration policies securing our border. That is what possibly the time would be better served using."

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"I think the State of the Union is a certain amount of propaganda regardless, " Perry added, "but blaming the Republicans for this, I reminded everybody we passed the best border security package that ever came through Congress a year and half ago, or so it is dead in the Senate and the president won't discuss it. How about we talk about that? Put it with some kind of spending bill and we can get a deal done, but until he is going to do that, enforce it, I think we are going to be at odds."

Republicans have already delayed President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, which typically occurs earlier in the year. Last year, they repeatedly interrupted his speech.

“Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage unless I agree to their economic plans," he told members of Congress at last year's address. "All of you at home should know what their plans are. Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years.”

Biden lifted his voice over audible boos, saying, “Anybody who doubts it, call my office, I’ll give you a copy of the proposal.”

Republicans also heckled him over remarks he made about the border.