House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., urged Democrats to maintain a “strong, determined, and dignified” presence during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, The Hill reported.
In a Monday letter to fellow Democrats, Jeffries acknowledged that attendance is a personal decision but stressed the importance of their presence in the chamber.
“The decision to attend the Joint Session is a personal one, and we understand that members will come to different conclusions,” Jeffries wrote.
“However, it is important to have a strong, determined, and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber. The House as an institution belongs to the American people, and as their representatives, we will not be run off the block or bullied.”
Jeffries confirmed that he and other Democratic leaders would be present for the address to demonstrate that an active opposition party remains in place.
“We will make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing, and able to serve as a check and balance on the excesses of the administration,” he wrote.