The 2003 State of the Union address. (Photo: Wikipedia)

President Barack Obama's State of the Union address is about an hour away and, once again, lawmakers are choosing bipartisan seatmates for the speech. The Politicker reached out to several of the members of New York's Congressional delegation and found out who they'll be sitting with at tonight's event.

Senator Chuck Schumer will be sitting with the Senate leadership. New York's junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, will be sitting with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. Senator Gillibrand and Senator Graham went to Afghanistan together in 2010 and have worked together on legislation.

Two of New York's Congressmen, Charlie Rangel and Peter King will be sitting together for the second straight year. In an interview with The Politicker earlier this month, Mr. Rangel said he and Mr. King have enjoyed a close friendship in the past, but he hinted recent impasses in the House have made it difficult for them to socialize like they once did.

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth will be next to Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline. The pair co-chair the bipartisan Common Ground Caucus.

Rep. Gregory Meeks of Queens is planning to sit with Michigan Congressman Dave Camp. However, a spokeswoman for Congressman Meeks warned us those arrangements are "subject to change because they're still working out the seating order."

Congressman Bob Turner is sitting with Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney. They also traveled to Afghanistan together in October.

Congressman Michael Grimm and his frequent television sparring partner, California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, announced their plans to attend the address together last week. They declined to reveal who asked whom.

Michael Grimm and Loretta Sanchez. (Photo: YouTube)

Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, who represents the 13th District in Brooklyn and Staten Island, will be sitting next to his frequent television sparring partner, Democratic California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, at next week's State of the Union address.

"While Congresswoman Sanchez often has opposite views and tries to hog the camera in interviews, I am pleased to be sitting with her," Congressman Grimm said in a joint statement announcing their State of the Union date. "The country expects and deserves Members of Congress to work together, find common ground, and put America first.”

Congresswoman Sanchez said she was looking forward to sitting next to Congressman Grimm "even though I'm constantly having to correct Michael on his positions during our joint interviews."

“I always enjoy a good, bipartisan spirited debate with him and we need more of that in Congress,” she said. “I look forward to us attending the State of the Union together and look forward to discussing an agenda with Michael that will move our country forward in 2012.”

This is the second straight year that lawmakers have agreed to promote a spirit of cooperation by having bipartisan seating at the State of the Union. Last time around, MSNBC's Chris Jansing asked the pair if they would agree to sit together during one of their interviews. Congressman Grimm had already agreed to sit next to Congressman Gregory Meeks.