Sen. Brown to Sit With Sen. Portman, Members of Ohio Delegation During State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that he would sit with Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) during tonight’s State of the Union Address. The senators are also inviting members of the Ohio Congressional delegation to join them.

“It’s not the ‘D’ or ‘R’ next to our names, but the ‘OH,’ that is important,” Brown said. “Rob and I may come from different parties, but we’re both dedicated to creating jobs in Ohio. Sitting together at the State of the Union will demonstrate that we want to work together on a bipartisan basis to advance economic development in Ohio.”

In the past, Members of Congress have sat with their respective parties on either side of the aisle during the State of the Union Address. While this has been a custom, it is not rule or law. This year, many Members of Congress are committing to sit together on a bipartisan basis to promote civility and to combat heated rhetoric in Washington.

Brown’s call to Portman last week suggesting they sit together was prompted by a proposal from from Senator Mark Udall. Brown also suggested they sit together on alternating sides each year.

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