While some observers were distracted by another bold fashion choice from Kyrsten Sinema, it was the Senator’s behavior that was truly troubling.
First, Sinema chose to sit on the Republican side of the House chamber despite the fact that she continues to caucus with Senate Democrats. Moreover, the cameras caught the Senator on her phone, doing what appeared to be texting, throughout the speech.
She was either so distracted – or indifferent to the President’s remarks – that Sinema remained seated during key parts of the address when many others stood.
And people noticed:
@stevemorris_: “Kyrsten Sinema appears to be texting during the State of the Union”
@sarahnferris: “Among those not standing during Biden’s line on allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices: Kyrsten Sinema”
@taylorseely95: “Senator Sinema, who as a Democrat blocked her party’s efforts to raise taxes on corporate America, did not join Democrats in resounding applause for Biden’s push to raise taxes on the wealthy and large companies.” via @NYTimes”
@djrothkopf: “Sinema apparently running for reelection in 2024 on the “I don’t care about seniors” ticket. In Arizona. Good luck with that.”
@elizabethathorpe: “Get off your phone @SenatorSinema”
@kellyfphares: “.@Sen_JoeManchin AND @SenatorSinema appear to both be sitting on the GOP side of the chamber for the #SOTU They’re currently standing on the GOP side w/ Sen @SenatorRomney who Manchin sat next to last year”
@mondairejones: “That lady can stand up in that bright yellow dress and clap for abortion rights and the Equality Act all she wants, but if she had just supported filibuster reform and convinced her friend from West Virginia to do the same, we would’ve had both.”
@sawyerhackett: “Why is Kyrsten Sinema checking her phone during the State of the Union address?”
@bencjones: “Sinema stays seated for corporations paying their fair share as Manchin stands to applaud”
@maxpcohen: “Biden says the biggest corporations are going to pay their fair share. Sinema doesn’t stand up to clap”
@keithedwards: “Kyrsten Sinema not clapping with democrats — let’s next forget that in 2024”
@alexmiillernews: “(and a few others) when Biden says “To my Republican friends, if we could work together in the last Congress, there is no reason we can’t work together in this new Congress.””
@patrioticmillionaires: “Senator Sinema is sitting with Republicans for #SOTU. Just like she did on the minimum wage, closing the carried interest loophole, and more. Her act is getting predictable.”
@marmet: “Which pharma bro is Kyrsten Sinema texting?”
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