Again, Senators Kirk and Manchin attend State of the Union together
Both Senators, members of the No Labels Coalition, issued the following statement prior to President Obama’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) released the following statement prior to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address:
“Tonight we will be sitting together at the State of the Union Address not only as best friends, but as a Democrat and a Republican who are working together on behalf of our nation. Together we joined the bipartisan No Labels Problem Solvers coalition to try and find common ground on our nation’s top priorities. We have hosted bipartisan lunches and encouraged thoughtful and productive discussion amongst our colleagues. As we prepare to sit together again tonight, we remain optimistic about the state of our union and we look forward to hearing the President’s plan for reducing our nation’s deficit, growing our economy, and ultimately leaving a stronger America to future generations.”
Background:
Senators Mark Kirk and Joe Manchin sat together during the State of the Union Address for the second year in a row. When Senator Kirk was absent for the address in 2012 following a stroke, Manchin held the seat next to him to symbolize their friendship and Kirk’s representation in the Chamber.
