Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) on Wednesday invited President Donald Trump to deliver his State of the Union address in West Virginia after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) requested that the high-profile speech before a joint session of Congress be rescheduled due to the partial government shutdown.
“I called the President yesterday to convey our invitation for him to come to West Virginia to give the State of the Union Address in our State Capitol. Giving the speech in a state full of people who love their country would truly reflect his focus on the forgotten men and women of America,” Justice said in a statement.
Justice, who switched from Democrat to Republican shortly after President Trump ascended to the White House, said he consulted with Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw prior to sending the invitation.
“No matter where he chooses to have the speech, I want the President to know that he is always welcome in the Great State of West Virginia,” the governor continued.
Last week, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore wrote a letter inviting President Trump to deliver the speech in the state’s Raleigh chamber, and on Friday, Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield also extended an invitation to deliver the address at the state Capitol in Lansing.
However, the White House is moving forward with plans for President Trump to deliver his State of the Union speech next week in front of a joint session of Congress.
The White House sent an email to the House sergeant-at-arms asking to schedule a walk-through in anticipation of a January 29 address, according to a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the planning by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Nancy Pelosi made the invitation to the president on the State of the Union. He accepted,” said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “At this point, we’re moving forward.”
At the same time, the White House is continuing to work on contingency plans to give Trump a backup in case the joint session plans fall through. The president cannot speak in front of Congress without both chambers’ explicit permission. Both chambers must agree to a resolution specifying the date and time for receiving a presidential address.
Officials have been considering a list of potential alternative venues, including a rally-style event, an Oval Office address — as Pelosi previously suggested — a speech before the Senate chamber, and even a return visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, as Trump is expected to continue to hammer the need for a barrier, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
Multiple versions are also being drafted to suit the final venue.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.