Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, on Friday Spectrum News reported that House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik invited Brandon Budlong, a Border Patrol Agent and President of the National Border Patrol Council 2724, as her guest to Joe Biden’s State of the Union address.
Read the full article below:
Spectrum News: Stefanik to bring border patrol agent as State of the Union guest
By Tim Williams
Rep. Elise Stefanik, the chair of the House Republican Conference, announced Friday that Brandon Budlong, a border patrol agent and president of the National Border Patrol Council 2724, will accompany her at President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday.
Each year, members of Congress bring a guest to Washington D.C. to attend the annual report to Congress known as the State of the Union. The Constitution requires the president to update the Congress on the state of the nation yearly. Early presidents accomplished the task by sending a letter to members of Congress, but the tradition grew to a speech in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the invitation of its speaker.
The guests of the elected officials typically highlight a national or district issue. This year, Stefanik is highlighting the issue of border security.
Stefanik’s district covers large portions of the border with New York's northern neighbor, Canada.
In a statement, the North Country representative touted her vote to pass the Secure Our Border Act and to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Budlong called the invitation an “honor,” and said Stefanik is a “fierce advocate” for border patrol agents and constituents like himself.
