Congressional Picnic Explained

The Congressional Picnic is an annual event held on the South Lawn of the White House.[1] Members of Congress and their families are invited to spend time with the president and other White House staffers in a relaxed setting.[2] [3] [4] The Picnic features carnival rides and musical performances.[5] Each year's Picnic features a theme, such as the Wild West, Broadway, and Mardi Gras.[6] [7]

Vice President Mike Pence described the event as "about being able to leave politics outside the gate and being able to get together with the families of those who serve in both political parties."[8] Obama spokesman Josh Earnest called it "an opportunity for members of Congress to bring their families to enjoy a nice evening on the South Lawn of the White House."[9]

President Donald Trump postponed the 2018 Congressional Picnic[10] due to the appearance of having such an event while dealing with the crisis involving the separation of children from their parents at the US border. The crisis was a result of the Trump administration's continuing the "zero tolerance" policy towards illegal immigrants placed by the previous Obama administration.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Book: CQ Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. July 1986. Congressional Quarterly, Incorporated. 1863.
  2. Book: United States. President (2001-2009 : Bush). George Walker Bush. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George Bush. 2001. 2003. Government Printing Office. 680–681. GGKEY:0ZCFJEBHY2B.
  3. News: Conway. Madeline. Trumps feature Central Park in congressional picnic invite. 2 May 2018. Politico. May 26, 2017.
  4. News: Heil. Emily. At congressional picnic, Trump calls for post-shooting bipartisan spirit to 'deepen'. 2 May 2018. Washington Post. June 22, 2017.
  5. Web site: In Performance at the White House: The Congressional Picnic. WETA. 2 May 2018.
  6. Book: Laura Bush. Laura Welch Bush. Spoken from the Heart. 4 May 2010. Simon and Schuster. 978-1-4391-5520-2. 289.
  7. Book: Lea Berman. Jeremy Bernard. Treating People Well: The Extraordinary Power of Civility at Work and in Life. 9 January 2018. Scribner. 978-1-5011-5800-1. 160–162.
  8. Web site: President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump Host their First Congressional Picnic. 2 May 2018. June 23, 2017. National Archives. whitehouse.gov.
  9. News: Jackson. David. Obama's day: Congressional picnic. 2 May 2018. USA Today.
  10. Web site: Trump reverses course, signs order to keep families together | CNN Politics. CNN. 20 June 2018.
  11. Web site: AP: Toddlers, babies held in 'tender age' facilities after separated from families | CNN Politics. CNN. 20 June 2018.

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