Statement of California Democratic Chairman John Burton on Tea Party Republicans Refusing to Attend Presidential Address Before Joint Session of Congress

We understand these Tea Party Republicans do not like President Obama and they've been crystal clear in their commitment to destroy his presidency. The fact remains, he is the President of the United States of America and he should be awarded the respect that the office commands. As President Harry Truman once said to General Douglass MacArthur: "you may insult [me] but don't you ever insult the President of the United States."

By engaging in this disrespectful display, the Tea Party has further demonstrated they aren't interested in solutions that will get Americans working again. They should quit acting like spoiled brats and attend the President's address before Congress.