"Americans are looking for leadership. The 13 million people who are unemployed need to know that leaders in Washington can come together to get people back to work and move the country in the right direction.
"Washington needs to focus on fostering opportunities with an environment where the economy can improve and jobs can be created. Tax certainty and low taxes are a major factor, and one of the biggest tax increases in history will happen at the end of this year if Congress and the President don't stop it. America's fiscal problems don't come from a revenue shortage, but from too much spending, and government spending needs to be reduced. A massive federal debt gets in the way of economic growth. So does the heavy hand of government regulation, and it must be lifted. America also needs new export markets for our products and services, and the economy is helped by affordable energy, so domestic production has got to be a priority. The President's decision last week, to deny the Keystone pipeline project, prevents energy-related infrastructure development that creates jobs, in this case as many as 20,000 jobs. The decision also stymies an energy partnership with a friendly neighbor, and whether or not the United States approves the Keystone project, the oil will be produced, and if it doesn't come here, China likely will get it. The result of this decision is just the opposite of what our national priority ought to be and that's opportunity.
"Since 2009, President Obama's theory of economic stimulus and government intervention has failed in terms of job creation, economic growth and fiscal responsibility, so we need a new direction. At the same time, President Obama seems determined to test and even exceed the powers of his office. America has a system of checks and balances that's generally worked for more than two centuries. The President's interest in putting the executive branch above the other branches of government is unconstitutional and counter-productive. It's something Americans rejected 235 years ago. Today, finding common ground with the elected representatives of Congress would be more productive than trying to govern by edict from the Oval Office."
Harkin Statement on President Obama's Third State of the Union Address
The state of our union depends on the strength of the middle class
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's third State of the Union address. Harkin chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, as well as the Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
"Tonight, it was encouraging to hear the President outline his blueprint for getting our country back on track with policies that invest in America and promote a better, more fair tax structure. This is a blueprint that will make America strong for the decades to come.
"It is clear from my travel in Iowa and hearings in Washington that there is no greater challenge facing Congress in the year ahead than to protect and restore the middle class, which is being crushed by widespread unemployment, rising income inequality, and a system that no longer works for them.
"As a woman from DeWitt, Iowa told the Committee back in June, 'All we have ever wanted is security and a little comfort: to know that our bills are paid, our needs are met, that we can have a real getaway every now and then, that our children can pursue higher education without the burden of student loan debt, and that someday we can retire and enjoy our final years together in the way we choose.' In short, she wants to be part of the working middle class.
"While Congressional Republicans have advocated failed trickle-down economics for the rich, it is time for percolate-up economics for the middle class. As we say in the Midwest, you don't fertilize a tree from the top down, you fertilize the roots.
"I have argued that the more urgent task is in creating jobs and rebuilding the middle class. This means continuing to make investments in areas like education and workforce training as well as securing pensions and ensuring college is affordable. Our country must rebuild our physical infrastructure to include 21st century transportation and energy systems and we need policies to reverse the long-term decline in manufacturing jobs. These are the investments that will make America competitive in the global economy with a stronger, educated workforce, and these will be the investments at the heart of legislation I plan to introduce in the coming months to rebuild the middle class.
"The fact is, the state of our union depends on the strength of the middle class. The middle class is the backbone of this country, and it is time for Congress to have the backbone to not only defend it, but rebuild it."
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Braley Response to State of the Union Address
Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after attending President Obama's State of the Union address tonight:
"I'm glad the President so strongly emphasized strengthening the middle class tonight. I was especially encouraged by his focus on economic fairness, creating jobs, and investing in education.
"The American middle class is being squeezed more than ever, yet Wall Street bankers and big corporations are making record profits. It seems like there are two sets of rules - one for the elite, and one for everyone else. America has always been about opportunity. We need to level the playing field and keep the promise that if you work hard, you can get ahead. An easy first step in strengthening the middle class is to pass a yearlong extension of the payroll tax cut.
"Our schools, colleges, and universities are avenues of opportunity. We need to strengthen education if we are going to succeed in the global economy. China and India are churning out well-educated and skilled workers. We need to meet their challenge."
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Governor Quinn Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
CHICAGO - January 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding President Barack Obama's fourth State of the Union Address.
"We in Illinois applaud President Obama for the vision he laid out in tonight's State of the Union. The President put forth a blueprint for a growing economy that gives all Americans equal access to the success through hard work that has always made this nation great. We agree with the President that we can't wait - we need to keep pushing to restore our economy and the American middle class.
"In Illinois, we are focused on the same issues that the President laid out tonight: creating manufacturing jobs and training our workforce for the 21st century; making education more accessible; modernizing our roads and bridges; and prioritizing housing for our families.
"And as the President said, an America built to last calls for responsibility from each of us and fairness for all. We commend the President on his vision, and look forward to working together as a nation to restore our economy and create opportunities for all Americans."
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Lt. Governor Simon Statement on State of the Union
CARBONDALE - January 24, 2011. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon pledged to work with President Obama and Illinois schools to send more students into the workforce with college credentials that qualify them for in-demand jobs.
"President Obama's blueprint for our economy is built on a strong, skilled American workforce," Simon said. "A growing number of jobs require employees to hold more than a high school education, but not necessarily a bachelor's degree. Illinois community colleges are poised to help more students earn career certificates and associate degrees that translate to good-paying jobs. I will work with the colleges, state leaders, and President Obama to ensure that we offer clear paths to employment. If our students work hard in school, we want them to find a job here in Illinois that will enable them to raise a family, own a home, and save for retirement. Our focus on college completion will help create an America that's built to last."
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Tea Party Response to State of the Union
Dear Friends,Tonight Obama did what he has done for the past 3 years: showcased the class warfare rhetoric WE HAVE REJECTED while showing no interest in providing some semblance of leadership.
