EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said Monday she will boycott President Donald Trump\u2019s State of the Union address scheduled for Tuesday, accusing him of using the speech to \u201clie and divide\u201d rather than address the country\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmericans are worse off today because of Donald Trump and his policies, and instead of using the State of the Union to confront the issues we are facing, he will use his platform to lie and divide,\u201d Escobar, a Democrat who represents Texas\u2019 16th Congressional District, said in a statement. <\/p>\n
Escobar said Americans are \u201csuffering because of Trump\u2019s economic policies,\u201d citing tax cuts for billionaires, government contracts for private prison corporations, tariffs, and what she described as Trump\u2019s unwillingness to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies, along with cuts to Medicaid and nutrition programs.<\/p>\n
She also said \u201cAmericans are less safe,\u201d alleging that \u201chis masked, secret police have killed Americans and violated the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI refuse to participate in what will be shameless gaslighting and offensive untruths. I will not be in attendance for the State of the Union,\u201d Escobar said.<\/p>\n
President Trump will deliver his State of the Union Address on Tuesday at 7 p.m. <\/p>\n