PoliticsSOTUPoliticsState of the Union

Florida Rep. Curt Clawson To Give Tea Party's State Of The Union Response

Rep. Who Mistook U.S. Officials For Indian Nationals To Give Tea Party SOTU Response
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UNITED STATES - JUNE 25: From left, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Rep.-elect Curt Clawson, R-Fla., and his mother Cherie Clawson participate in the ceremonial swearing-in photo opportunity in the Capitol on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Rep. Curt Clawson (R-Fla.) will deliver the tea party's response to President Barack Obama's 2015 State of the Union address, the Tea Party Express announced Thursday.

"2015 marks a year of new beginnings for the Tea Party movement," Tea Party Express executive director Taylor Budowich said in a statement. "These new Tea Party members of Congress are brimming with ideas to make America economically stronger with opportunity for all to realize the American Dream. We are honored to present Florida Congressman Curt Clawson, the first Tea Party Express victory for the 2014 cycle, as someone committed to making Congress deliver for the American people."

Clawson was elected in a special election last year to replace former Rep. Trey Radel, who resigned after he was caught buying cocaine from a federal officer. Clawson was re-elected in November to a full term.

In July, Clawson made headlines when he mistook two U.S. government officials testifying at a House hearing as members of India's government.

"I'm familiar with your country; I love your country," Clawson said. "Anything I can do to make the relationship with India better, I'm willing and enthusiastic about doing so."

Clawson later apologized.

“I made a mistake in speaking before being fully briefed and I apologize. I’m a quick study, but in this case I shot an air ball," he said.

Earlier this month, Clawson was one of 25 House Republicans who voted against John Boehner in the election for House speaker, instead casting a vote for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

"Like much of the new blood elected to Congress in recent years, Rand Paul and I share the view that Washington is too big and that protecting our Constitution is paramount," Clawson said. "How ironic that viewpoint is now considered ‘outsider,’ by some."

The tea party State of the Union response will follow the official GOP rebuttal, which will be given by freshman Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

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Before You Go

State of the Union 2014
President Barack Obama(01 of35)
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US President Barack Obama greets members of the military top brass as he arrives to deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Barack Obama(02 of35)
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US President Barack Obama smiles after greeting Vice President Joe Biden (L) and House Speaker John Boehner before delivering the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joe Biden, John Boehner(03 of35)
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US Vice President Joe Biden (D) confers with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R), R-OH, prior to US President Barack Obama's State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)CORRECTION: This slide has been updated to reflect Biden is a Democrat. (credit:Getty Images)
Michelle Obama(04 of35)
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First Lady Michelle Obama waves from her box before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
Joe Biden(05 of35)
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US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Willie Robertson, Korie Robertson(06 of35)
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Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson, center and his wife Korie, talk with Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (credit:AP)
State Of The Union(07 of35)
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US President Barack Obama receives a standing ovation before delivering his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden(08 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: House Minority Leader Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) greets U.S. Vice President Joe Biden before U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama(09 of35)
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US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michele Bachmann(10 of35)
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Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. arrives for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)) (credit:AP)
(11 of35)
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Secretary of State John Kerry arrives for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is at left. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
Cathy McMorris Rodgers(12 of35)
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Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., rehearses the Republican response to the State of the Union on Capitol Hill that she will deliver in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
Carlos Arredondo (L) and Jeff Bauman(13 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Carlos Arredondo (L) and Jeff Bauman who was injured during the Boston bombing wait for U.S. President Barack Obama to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Marco Rubio(14 of35)
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Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, arrives for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (credit:AP)
Joe Biden, John Boehner(15 of35)
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House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio adjusts Vice President Joe Biden's lapels before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (credit:AP)
(16 of35)
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. arrive for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
The Motorcade(17 of35)
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The motorcade carrying President Barack Obama to give his State of the Union speech arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
President Obama(18 of35)
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US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama(19 of35)
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US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Obama Greets Biden And Boehner(20 of35)
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US President Barack Obama greets House Speaker John Boehner (R) and Vice President Joe Biden before he delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Kerry, Obama(21 of35)
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US President Barack Obama (R) is greeted by US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) as Obama arrives to deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Delivers State Of The Union Address At U.S. Capitol(22 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Delivers State Of The Union Address At U.S. Capitol(23 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama Delivers State Of The Union Address At U.S. Capitol(24 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama(25 of35)
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US President Barack Obama arrives to deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michelle Obama(26 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: First lady Michelle Obama (R) stands with US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg before U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Marco Rubio, Kristen Gillibrand, John McCain(27 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: (L-R) U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) , and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) wait for U.S. President Barack Obama to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michelle Obama(28 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: First lady Michelle Obama (R) stands with US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg before U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ted Cruz(29 of35)
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US Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz listens to President Barack Obama deliver the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama (30 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama(31 of35)
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US President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg is acknowledged by U.S. President Barack Obama(32 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: First lady Michelle Obama (R) applauds as US Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg is acknowledged by U.S. President Barack Obama during the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
President Obama (33 of35)
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US President Barack Obama waves as he leaves the House Chamber afer delivering the State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on January 28, 2014 at the US Capitol in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Lindsey Graham, John McCain, Ted Cruz(34 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: (L-R) U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) listen as U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Kathleen Sebelius(35 of35)
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius claps as U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. In his fifth State of the Union address, Obama is expected to emphasize on healthcare, economic fairness and new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy with bipartisan cooperation. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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