In the News

Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi will join U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, as the congressman's guest for President Donald Trump's first State of the Union Address next week.

Neal, who is using his pick to highlight the federal response to the opioid abuse epidemic, said he is "thrilled" Cocchi will accompany him for the president's Tuesday speech before a joint session of Congress.

"Sheriff Cocchi has been out front on the opioid epidemic, and I have been happy to have him as a partner as we look for ways in which to curb this problem that plagues so many people we know and love," he said in a statement. 

The congressman added that while Cocchi has been working to help end opioid abuse, the president has fallen short on his pledge to combat the epidemic. 

"President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency in October - and the only thing his administration and Congress have to show for it is a report, no action," he said. "Congress and the administration simply are not doing enough to help Americans access necessary treatment for opioid use disorders."  

Cocchi said it was "a great honor" to be invited to the president's speech as the congressman's guest.

"We have worked closely together to help address the opioid epidemic in Hamden County and I'm hopeful this important issue will be raised in the president's speech before Congress," he said in a statement. "I look forward to being in the House Gallery next Tuesday to watch this annual event which has its origins in our Constitution."

Trump will deliver his first State of the Union before a joint session of the U.S. House and Senate at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The president, who gave an informal version of the annual address before a joint session of the U.S. House and Senate in February 2017, is expected to lay out his plan for tackling hot button issues, like immigration, and to announce a $1.7 trillion infrastructure investment, among other things, during the prime time speech.