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MCCLATCHY BUREAUDemocrats plan show of support for Muslims at Obama's addressBy William DouglasWASHINGTON Nearly 20 congressional Democrats have invited Muslim guests to President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address Tuesday, to counter what they say is negative rhetoric on Capitol Hill and speeches on the presidential campaign trail.Amid calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. and to restrict the flow of Syrian refugees, Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schult... Read more

WSVN 7 (FOX MIAMI)South Florida congresswoman invites Muslim-American to president's final addressBy Brandon BeyerWESTON, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida congresswoman has invited a special guest to tomorrow's State of the Union address as she takes a stand against hate.As President Obama prepares for his final State of the Union address Tuesday night, several members of Congress, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz plan to make a statement with their plus one. "I conceived the notion of invi... Read more

POSTWhat Obama’s allies and rivals want to hear from his last State of the UnionBy Mike DeBonis, Karoun Demirjian and Kelsey SnellTerrorism, immigration, gun control — those are just a few of the issues that Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike would like to hear President Obama emphasize in his last State of the Union address on Tuesday night.But that’s about all on which sharply polarized lawmakers agree.Democrats want the president to stress the gun control executive orders he recently a... Read more

CNN.COMDems to colleagues: Bring Muslims to State of the UnionBy Manu Raju and Allie MalloyWashington (CNN)Two leading Democratic lawmakers are encouraging their colleagues to bring Muslim Americans as their guests to Tuesday's State of the Union in what they're calling a "stand against hate."Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minnesota, the first Muslim American elected to Congress, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, the Democratic National Committee chairwoman, point to recent rhetoric used agai... Read more

CBS MIAMI (WFOR)Local Doctor’s Presence A Strong Stance At State Of The UnionMIAMI (CBS Miami) — A Muslim-American doctor from South Florida will be a guest at the State of The Union address on Tuesday.As a guest of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dr. Mohsin Jaffer of Weston will be among the more than two dozen Muslim Americans in the audience.“This is the greatness of America, that somebody can stand up and put a hood on his face and say nasty things. Somebody can be on the left side o... Read more

SUN SENTINELWasserman Schultz hopes to combat prejudice, make political point about Republicans by inviting Muslim constituent to State of UnionBy Anthony ManU.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the first Jewish congresswoman from Florida, said Monday she hopes to counter some of the hate-filled rhetoric in recent months by inviting a Muslim-American constituent to this year's State of the Union address.There's an added political bonus for the Weston congresswoman, who also is chairwoman of the D... Read more

THE HILLHouse conducts moment of silence for Tucson shooting anniversaryBy Cristina MarcosThe House paused its proceedings Friday afternoon to hold a moment of silence for the five-year anniversary of the shooting in Tucson, Ariz. that injured former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), who now represents the district Giffords once did, led the commemoration surrounded by the rest of the Arizona congressional delegation. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the Democratic Na... Read more

MIAMI HERALDDNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz to bring Muslim American doctor to Obama's last SOTUDemocratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz will bring a Muslim-American doctor Mohsin Jaffer of Weston, as her guest to President Obama's last State of the Union address Jan. 12.In a press release announcing her choice, Wasserman Schultz mentioned "hateful rhetoric" against Muslim Americans including an "outrageous suggestion" to create a national registry. That's a jab at GOP fro... Read more

THE HILLDems urge sanctions after Iran missile testBy Rebecca KheelSeven Democratic lawmakers are urging President Obama to impose sanctions on Iran after two ballistic missile tests.“The United States and our allies must take immediate, punitive action and send a clear message to Iran that violating international laws, treaties and agreements will have serious consequences,” the lawmakers wrote to Obama in a letter this week. “We understand the administration is preparing sanctions against indi... Read more

SUNSHINE STATE NEWS Gun Groups, Florida Politicians React to Obama's Executive Order on Gun ControlBy ALLISON NIELSENPresident Barack Obama issued an executive order to help prevent gun violence on Tuesday, setting off a chain of reactions from politicians, gun rights activists and gun control groups alike, all of whom had something to say about the president’s big step to fight against mass shootings in the U.S.Under Obama’s executive action, background checks would be expanded for potential gu... Read more