GOP lawmakers push bill to keep Trump, RNC in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — Republican state lawmakers in North Carolina plan to introduce a bill that would allow President Donald Trump to speak in front of a packed Republican National Convention. The measure would allow the convention in Charlotte to operate without many of the restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

The move comes after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said the August convention would have to be scaled down to protect public health. Trump responded by announcing that he’d speak in a different state.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. John Torbett of Gaston. It is largely symbolic as Cooper is likely to reject it and Republicans are unlikely to have the votes to override a veto.

Asked about the legislation during his Monday afternoon news conference, Cooper called it “irresponsible.”

Republicans tour Savannah as possible GOP convention site

Organizers of the Republican National Convention are giving Georgia’s oldest city a close look as a possible replacement venue for the summer convention. Gov. Brian Kemp joined 2020 convention CEO Marcia Lee Kelly for a tour of Savannah on Monday.

The Republican governor said in a statement that Savannah would offer “a truly unmatched experience to the Republican National Convention.”

The RNC is looking for a new venue for President Donald Trump’s nomination speech in August after Trump insisted on pulling out of Charlotte, North Carolina, because of state officials’ concerns about the coronavirus.

Other cities under consideration include Nashville, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida, as well as New Orleans Las Vegas, Dallas and Phoenix.

RNC: Celebration of president's acceptance of nomination will be held in another city RNC: Celebration of president's acceptance of nomination will be held in another city

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