In a bold move, former House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) has urged Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to halt President Joe Biden‘s annual State of the Union address. Perry’s call is a response to the ongoing crisis at the southern border.

“We need to use every single point of leverage,” Perry said.

“There's no reason that we need to invite him to get more propaganda and actually blame the American people for the crisis he's caused.”

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A retired National Guard general, Perry has previously doubts about Biden’s mental capacity to lead the country. He has also criticized the president’s advisors for potentially making decisions on his behalf.

This move by Perry is not the first time the State of the Union address has been embroiled in political controversy. In 2019, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) delayed then-President Donald Trump‘s address due to a partial government shutdown. Trump eventually delivered his speech weeks later, but Pelosi did not introduce him, breaking from tradition.

Other Republicans have also suggested canceling Biden’s address. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has called for the event to be called off if Biden doesn't present a full spending plan to Congress.

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Image by U.S. Department of Agriculture via Flickr