Democratic lawmakers are strategically using guest invitations to President Donald Trump’s address to Congress to shed light on the human impact of his administration’s policies. Invited guests include fired federal workers, Medicaid recipients facing potential healthcare cuts, and small business owners affected by tariffs. These individuals, like Alissa Ellman and Tiffany Ramos, recently fired federal employees, and Jessica Martinez and Ana Medina Garcia, Medicaid recipients, will attend as guests of prominent Democrats such as Chuck Schumer and Maggie Hassan. The invited guests aim to provide a personal perspective on the consequences of Trump’s policy decisions, especially regarding federal job cuts and healthcare changes.

In response, Republicans will also showcase their priorities through guests like ‘border czar’ Tom Homan and natural gas executive Ben Dell. The guest list highlights key issues such as border security and economic interests. The event is expected to be a platform for both parties to emphasize their positions on critical policy matters, with Democrats focusing on the human toll of Trump’s policies and Republicans highlighting their key concerns and priorities.

While some Democratic members, like Sens. Ron Wyden and Patty Murray, plan to skip the address, others will participate in alternative events, such as online town halls or prebuttal sessions, to engage with constituents and discuss their views on the administration’s actions. The diverse array of guests and responses to the address reflect the ongoing political dynamics and efforts to amplify different perspectives in the policy debate.