A number of Republican lawmakers attending President Trump's inaugural State of the Union address tonight in Washington D.C. will wear red, white and blue in honor of the U.S. military.
Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally, a veteran and the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat, revealed the move during an interview on Fox News Tuesday afternoon. She expanded on her comments during an interview with USA Today.
A female member emailed her colleagues saying it was an idea from a constituent "to show our support for the flag, and the country and the troops and to be a contrast.”
Democrat lawmakers plan to wear black in support of women speaking out against sexual harassment. Their decision follows Hollywood actors who did the same for the Golden Globes earlier this month.
McSally says the decision to wear red, white and blue is simply to honor the troops, not to compete with colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
Democratic House members plan to wear black in honor of the #metoo movement combatting sexual harassment.
Their outfits are also a not-so-subtle dig at President Trump, who will be giving the address. More than a dozen women have accused the president of sexual harassment, Trump has denied the allegations.
"Of course we honor victims of sexual harassment ... didn't know that's what (Democrats are) saying it was for. I thought it was more about just resisting and being against the president, is really how it's come across," McSally said when USA TODAY asked how members could be both patriotic and honor victims of sexual harassment at the same time.
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