Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that she intends to sit with her Republican colleague Senator John Thune of South Dakota during President Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Senator Gillibrand was among the first of her Senate colleagues to support Senator Mark Udall’s idea to have bipartisan seating for the State of the Union. Senators Gillibrand and Thune plan to sit together on the Republican side of the House of Representatives.
“This is just a symbol, but it sends an important message that although we may disagree on various issues, we all stand ready to work together and do what we believe is right for the country. The American people want this Congress to work together – not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans,” Senator Gillibrand said. “I look forward to sitting with my colleague Senator Thune, and I look forward to working together with all my colleagues on a legislative agenda to create good-paying jobs and get our economy growing and working for all Americans.”