Rand Paul suggests holding State of the Union in Senate

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday suggested President Trump hold his State of the Union address in the Senate after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked the president to postpone the Jan. 29 address amid the partial government shutdown.

“I think that’s a real affront to the American people,” Paul said on “Fox & Friends,” referring to Pelosi’s request.

{mosads}Pelosi made the surprise request on Wednesday, warning that staging the speech amid the partial shutdown — which has affected both the Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service — creates security risks.

Paul said it would be the first time in U.S. history that the House denied the president a forum to speak and suggested Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) should host Trump.

“What I would suggest is — Senator McConnell’s in charge of the Senate; let’s host it in the Senate,” Paul said. “This would be the first time in history that the House would deny the president the forum of speaking.” 

“If she’s going to do that, let’s hold it in the Senate,” Paul concluded.

The “Fox & Friends” hosts asked the live audience if they would support holding the State of the Union speech in the Senate, and they clapped in response.

Pelosi has not rescinded Trump’s invitation, but she controls the House and it is likely within her power to do so. 

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said there have been “no real discussions” about alternative venues for the address after some Trump allies suggested that the address be moved elsewhere.

House GOP leaders have blasted Pelosi over the call, suggesting that Trump should give the address no matter what. 

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said rescinding the invitation would be “unheard of.” 

The clash is unfolding as the shutdown persists well into its fourth week, the longest in U.S. history.