Rep. Robert Hurt Responds to the President’s State of the Union Address

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) tonight released the following statement after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address:

 

""I appreciate President Obama coming to the United States Capitol to speak to both Congress and the American people about his priorities for our nation.  While I welcome the President's emphasis on economic growth, job creation, and greater opportunity for all Americans in tonight's address, I respectfully disagree with much of his approach for achieving these important goals.  

 

""The President has pursued the same 'government-knows-best' type of policies for five years, and the results speak for themselves.  Far too many Fifth District Virginians and Americans are unemployed, millions more are only working part-time when they wish to work full-time, and the percentage of able-bodied Americans that have given up looking for work is at its highest level in more than 30 years.  We as a nation are facing a debt of over $17 trillion with trillions more in unfunded liabilities.  The health insurance plans of over five million Americans have been canceled due to the President's health care law.

 

""Now the President is calling for a 'year of action' where he will circumvent Congress and act unilaterally to implement more of these types of policies and regulations.  I agree that action is needed; that is why we in the House of Representatives continue to pass legislation that focuses on job creation, economic growth, and reforming government programs to eliminate wasteful spending.  Over the past year, my colleagues in the House and I have put forth dozens of bills aimed at jumpstarting our economy and putting people back to work.

 

""The President missed an opportunity to find common ground where the House, Senate, and Executive can work together to pursue these goals, beginning with any one of the job-creation bills awaiting action in the Senate.  It is my hope that the President will work with us rather than around us to promote policies that will generate greater opportunities for all Americans to succeed.""