House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Monday formally invited President Trump to deliver the State of the Union address next Tuesday on February 5. In a letter to the President, Speaker Pelosi wrote:
Dear Mr. President:
When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this year’s State of the Union address.
In our conversation today, we agreed on February 5th.
Therefore, I invite you to deliver your State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 5, 2019 in the House Chamber.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
NANCY PELOSI
Speaker of the House
The President replied :
Dear Madam Speaker:
Thank you for your letter inviting me to deliver the State of the Union Address before ajoint session of Congress on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. It is my great honor to accept. We have a great story to tell and yet, great goals to achieve!
I look forward to seeing you on the 5th.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump
The invitation came from Pelosi over two weeks after asking the president to delay the State of the Union address, originally scheduled for January 29, as a result of the partial government shutdown. President Trump initially scoffed at the idea and responded by canceling a Congressional delegation trip organized by the Speaker days later.
President-elect Donald Trump (C) and President Barack Obama (R) are greeted by members of the Congressional leadership including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as they arrive for Trump’s inauguration ceremony at the Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite – Pool/Getty Images)
President Trump finally agreed to delay the State of the Union by the end of last week. By the time both the White House and Speaker Pelosi agreed to a three-week stop-gap measure to end the government shutdown on Friday, Pelosi told reporters she and Trump would find a “mutually agreeable” date for the State of the Union. (RELATED: Pelosi Says ‘State Of The Union Is Not Planned Now’ Despite Deal To Reopen Government)
Kerry Picket is a host on SiriusXM Patriot 125. Follow Kerry on Twitter.