President Donald Trump is delivering a high-profile address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening, though many lawmakers will not be in attendance due to their opposition to the White House.
When Trump opens his 2026 State of the Union speech at 9 p.m. EST, the Supreme Court justices and senior military leaders will be in attendance. Invitations have also been sent to the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams, who both came away with gold medals against Canada in the Olympic Games last week, although the women’s team said it is unable to attend due to “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
A slew of Democratic senators and representatives are opting to boycott the event or watch the address from home, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and nearly a quarter of the Senate’s Democratic caucus.
Which senators are skipping?
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the third-ranking Senate Democrat. She will instead deliver a livestreamed address to Washington state.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). He will instead participate in the alternative People’s State of the Union event being held by MeidasTouch and MoveOn, which will begin around 8 p.m. on the National Mall.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA). This is the first time he has skipped the address. He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). He is attending another progressive counter-programming event: the “State of the Swamp” event, which will start shortly before Trump’s speech at the National Press Club.
Sen. Angus King (I-ME). King, who caucuses with Democrats, said he will not be attending Trump’s speech, but will likely watch it from elsewhere.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). He plans to spend the time “working for Arizona” and with his family.
Which House members are skipping?
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). She said she would “not use [her] presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump’s lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. John Larson (D-CT). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). He will attend the State of the Swamp event.
Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA). He said he expected Trump’s remarks “to troll both my Democratic and Republican colleagues.”
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA). He will attend the State of the Swamp event.
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA). He will spend the evening meeting with constituents in Virginia.
Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME). He will watch Trump’s speech from home.
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). He will be watching Trump’s State of the Union speech, but not from the Capitol chamber.
Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX). He will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
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Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). She will attend the People’s State of the Union event.
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) will watch Trump’s State of the Union speech from her office.