This week's snowstorm could give Republicans an excuse to skip President Donald Trump's State of the Union address.
The 79-year-old president will address Congress on Tuesday night as critics intend to make statements with their guests, with Democrats bringing individuals hurt by Trump policies and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) bringing his wife, who was targeted by Trump attacks, reported Politico.
“Trump thought it was appropriate to include her in two of his broadsides,” Massie said. “So I thought it would be appropriate to invite her to his speech.”
Democrats are bringing people hurt by rising health care costs and Trump's mass deportation campaign.
But Politico reported they may be faced with a sparsely filled chamber as many lawmakers might skip the speech altogether.
"Attendance could be thin as lawmakers try to get back to Washington after a major snowstorm on the East Coast," Politico reported. "Many Democrats had already planned to boycott."
"Several Republicans told Politico they hope Trump will focus on affordability and economic issues and highlight the megabill tax cuts," the report added.
The snowstorm could also complicate the legislative schedule this week and force the House to postpone votes on aviation safety legislation and a farm bill markup, and the White House and Democrats still haven't made any progress on an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
"The DHS shutdown appeared to get real over the weekend when the department said it would suspend TSA PreCheck and other airport security services, but then quickly reversed course," Politico reported. "Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday that the administration is 'choosing to inflict pain on the public instead of adopting common sense ICE reforms.'"
The winter snowstorm stretching from Virginia to Massachusetts has forced House leaders to cancel votes on Monday as members attempt to return to Washington, D.C., from an 11-day recess.