Emmer shares Trump’s State of the Union call for unity, sees challenge among Democrats

Feb. 07--WASHINGTON D.C. -- President Donald Trump hit the right tone and tried to hit the reset button with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during his State of the Union speech, said Central Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer on Wednesday.

"It's time to be done with resistance politics," Emmer said, echoing the president's remarks. "It's time to be done with saying no for saying no."

Trump called for unity, he highlighted areas of potential agreement and he highlighted his own priorities, including a a border wall. The wall was the sticking point in a partisan standoff that partially closed the federal government for 35 days last month.

Trump gave his State of the Union to a newly divided Congress and featured common goals like tackling childhood cancers, infrastructure improvements and high prescription drug prices. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin was a guest, as were beneficiaries of criminal justice reform.

"It was a pretty amazing evening," Emmer said. "If he was sincere, and I believe he is, I think it's going to be difficult for people not to sit down (to compromise)."

The president did suggest a few things could get in the way of "peace and legislation," and those things are "war and investigation."

The president has repeatedly maligned the long and ongoing investigation headed by Robert Mueller into the 2016 Trump campaign's possible collusion with Russia.

Emmer wouldn't comment on that, he said. "That's an issue for the president."

Emmer did highlight the president's remarks on a thriving economy and abortion, especially condemnation of late-term abortions which made headlines out of Virginia recently.

"I do think it was a very powerful speech," Emmer said.

Thoughts on shutdowns

Tuesday Trump said the wall will be built.

His continued push for a border wall could lead to compromise, another government shutdown or an emergency declaration by the president.

"At the end of the day, shutdowns don't work," Emmer said. He suggested "extreme positions" within the Democratic Party could pose a challenge.

"I hope (Pelosi is) able to negotiate with her own conference, because that's where her issue lies," Emmer said.

He hopes the border security issue doesn't come to an emergency declaration for wall funding.

"I'm not in favor of an emergency declaration," Emmer said. "The president will have to do what the president thinks is right."

Nora G. Hertel: 320-255-8743, nhertel@stcloudtimes.com and on Twitter @nghertel.

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