ST. LOUIS– For the first time in his second term in office, President Donald Trump will make his first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.
Trump's speech isn't technically considered a State of the Union address — that comes next year, after he's been on the job for longer — but there's no distinguishable difference for anyone watching at home.
Just as the President will have invited guests with him, so too will lawmakers.
Several guests of members representing the St. Louis region will be in attendance.
Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., is bringing Keisha Lee, CEO of Annie Malone Children & Family Services as his guest.
The organization provides social services and educational programs to underserved children, families and older adults.
“It’s so important that they get the funding they need to help this population, these kids and these families,” Bell said.
Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., said he was inviting a doctor from his district but didn’t want to identify them by name. Smith said he’s excited to hear what the president has to say.
“I expect him to come here and demand faster action both in the House and the Senate to deliver tax cuts for working Americans, energy relief that just unlocks energy in the United States, spending cuts, but also protecting, preserving the safety of our border,” Smith said.
Below are other St. Louis area lawmakers and guests attending:
- Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo: a member of the St. Louis County Police Department
- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill: Lisa Quandt, a special education teacher from Belleville
- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill: Judy Repking, a board member of Effingham Area Right to Life
- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo: Dr. Eithan Haim, a Texas surgeon
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill: Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, Executive Director of the Illinois Head Start Association
- Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill: Dr. Elizabeth Sokol, a pediatric oncologist and researcher from Chicago
- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill: Lisa Quandt, a special education teacher from Belleville
- Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill: Judy Repking, a board member of Effingham Area Right to Life
