North Carolina Republicans are abandoning a last-ditch effort to keep President Donald Trump in Charlotte to accept his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention.
The proposal by Republican state Rep. John Torbett of Gaston County was planned for introduction as early as Monday but never came to a vote. The measure drafted last week sought to allow the president to speak in front of a full capacity crowd in Charlotte in August without requiring attendees to wear masks or stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart, as recommended by state and federal public health guidelines.
Trump sought reassurances from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper he would be able to speak in front of a packed crowd in Charlotte but grew frustrated after the governor insisted on a "scaled down" convention. Cooper's current executive order limits indoor gathering to 10 people and mass outdoor gatherings to 25 people.
Last week, Trump announced he would not speak in North Carolina because of the mass gathering restrictions. North Carolina Republicans had hoped to introduce a bill this week in hopes Trump reconsider his decision not to speak in Charlotte. But the plan was largely symbolic, given the likelihood of Cooper vetoing it and Republican state lawmakers not having the votes to override it.
Torbett announced on Twitter on Wednesday he is withdrawing his bill because it would be "a waste of The People's House time, energy, and resources."
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