Pompeo to deliver foreign policy address inside state Capitol
MADISON - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to deliver a foreign policy speech next week to state lawmakers inside the state Capitol as President Donald Trump continues aggressive campaigning in Wisconsin.
Pompeo will visit Wisconsin’s capital city on Wednesday — days after the president visits Mosinee for a campaign rally and one day before Vice President
Mike Pence makes his fourth stop in Wisconsin in as many weeks.
The speech will be held inside the Senate Chamber of the Capitol after Gov. Tony Evers denied a request from Senate President Roger Roth to hold the event in the Capitol’s rotunda because the statehouse is closed to the public.
The Capitol — a common gathering place for the public — has been closed for months to help curb the spread of coronavirus cases, which have spiked in Madison following the reopening of UW-Madison’s campus.
On Thursday, Wisconsin saw its highest daily increase since the pandemic hit the state in March with 2,034 new cases reported or nearly 18% of tests conducted.
Pompeo’s visit will be the first time lawmakers will gather together at the Capitol since April, when they passed a coronavirus relief bill.
Evers won’t attend the event, according to his office.
Roth, a Republican from Appleton, invited lawmakers to the event in the Senate.
“This opportunity is open to legislators, however, seating is extremely limited,” an email from Roth’s office said. “Social distancing measures will be employed and masks will be required for attendees.”