State of the Union updates: Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

Just hours before President Trump's State of the Union address, Democratic lawmakers and several survivors of Jeffrey Epstein spoke on Capitol Hill to demand more action from the administration.

Sky Roberts, the brother of the late Virginia Roberts Guiffre, called for "Virginia's Law" to be passed by Congress, legislation that seeks to do away with the statute of limitations on sex abuse and trafficking victims' right to sue.

"Virginia's Law is about saying clearly that the rules that protected abusers and traffickers for decades will no longer stand. It's about closing the gaps that powerful people exploit. It is about strengthening accountability so survivors are not forced to fight alone for years against the machine built to wear them down," Sky Roberts said.

Sky and Amanda Roberts will attend Trump's speech as guests by Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin and Suhas Subramanyam.

Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor, took aim at the Trump administration and FBI Director Kash Patel. Bensky is attending Trump's speech as a guest of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"As we prepare to attend the State of the Union, survivors and this country have so many questions that need to be answered. The first one is, where are the rest of the files? The truth must come out. Why are there no investigations when there are plenty of people in these files to investigate?" Bensky said. "This administration needs to do better."

President Trump and the Justice Department have been dogged by questions about the Epstein files and their partial release and redactions. The DOJ said it has complied with the law passed by Congress that forced their release.

Speaker Mike Johnson will display George Washington's gavel during the State of the Union.

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society says it's the first time the gavel will be displayed during the president's speech to Congress. It will sit on the rostrum in honor the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

Washington used the gavel in 1793 to lay the cornerstone of the Capitol building, according to the Historical Society. It's been maintained ever since by the Potomac Lodge No. 5, a Masonic Lodge in Washington, D.C.

"At the Capitol site, Washington stepped into a dug trench, laid a silver plate onto the ground, and set the cornerstone atop it," the Capitol Historical Society wrote in a news release. "He was accompanied by brethren who conducted a Masonic ritual with corn (a symbol of nourishment), wine (a symbol of refreshment), and oil (a symbol of joy). Witnesses then chanted and celebrated until night."

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said House Democrats intend to carry on the legacy of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson said former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and Santita Jackson will be Jeffries' guests.

It's not clear if any other members of the Jackson family would attend.

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark told ABC News she will not attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night, making her the highest-ranking House Democrat to skip the event.

"And let me tell you why," Clark told ABC's Linsey Davis in an exclusive interview. "What we have seen from this president is a series of lies, of disrespect for the American people. He campaigned that he would lower costs on Day 1, he would keep people safe and secure. And he has done just the opposite."

"So, I'm going to spend my evening, while he is spewing his misinformation tonight, talking to my constituents about their state of the union and how this administration is impacting them," Clark said.

Dozens of Democrats, at least 45, are set to skip the State of the Union address. Many instead are opting to take part in a counter-program on the National Mall sponsored by the progressive group MoveOn.

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