Where Will Your Senators Be?

Tonight is the annual state of the union address, given annually by the President of the United States to the assembled houses of Congress.

And this year, assembled has taken on new meaning. In a show of unity, Senators from across the United States have pledged to sit together, instead of divided by political caucus. Traditionally, the Republican and Democratic parties sit together on either sides of the congressional chamber.

After the tragic events in Tuscon, and President Barack Obama’s call to bring the two divergent sides of the political spectrum together, New York’s senators, both Democrats, have announced that they will be sitting with members of the Republican Party during the speech.

Senator Charles Schumer, New York’s senior senator, will be seated with Republican Tom Coburn, of Oklahoma.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who recently won her first full term in the Senate, announced last week that she will be sitting with South Dakota Senator John Thune during the speech.

 "This is just a symbol, but it sends an important message that although we may disagree on various issues, we all stand ready to work together and do what we believe is right for the country. The American people want this Congress to work together – not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans,” Gillibrand said. “I look forward to sitting with my colleague Senator Thune, and I look forward to working together with all my colleagues on a legislative agenda to create good-paying jobs and get our economy growing and working for all Americans.”

More locally, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, who represents Forest Hills, along with parts of Brooklyn and Queens, said he will be sitting with U.S. Rep. Peter King, from Long Island, on the Republican side of the aisle.

Weiner and King have sparred in the past on numerous issues, notably health care reform.