Hoosier Delegation Reacts to State of The Union
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana's Congressional delegation is weighing in on President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address. Representative Andr? Carson (D-7) says he was pleased to hear the president push issues including gender pay equality and tuition-free community college. Senator Dan Coats says Obama's call for increased taxes on the wealthy shows he “did not get the message” from the midterm elections. You can read the full address by clicking here.
January 20, 2015
News Release
Washington D.C. — Congressman Andr? Carson issued the following statement after listening to President Obama's State of the Union Address Tuesday evening:
“Tonight, I was pleased to hear President Obama's call for improving the lives of millions of middle-class families. From raising wages and increasing gender equality in the workplace to making home ownership more affordable and lowering taxes, his proposals will make a real impact for families who have struggled the most in our recent economic downturn.
“I was particularly interested in the President’s push to make tuition-free community college accessible for all Americans. Within the next few years, over 35 percent of all job openings will require a bachelor's degree. This plan is not just about educating our young people; it is about preparing them for a modern workforce and embracing the economic boost that their future employment will bring. I will be encouraging Speaker Boehner to make this proposal a top agenda item in the 114th Congress.
“Finally, I was pleased to hear the President address the growing threat of terrorism and the role our men and women in uniform are playing to combat this threat abroad. The recent attacks in Paris demonstrate that the fight against terrorism is not confined to ISIL in Iraq and Syria or Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan. As a new Member of the Intelligence Committee, I will be doing everything I can to support those who monitor and combat these threats, both at home and overseas.”
Source: Office of U.S. Congressman Andr? Carson
January 20, 2015
News Release
Washington D.C. — Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) tonight issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s State of the Union speech:
“The November election was a rejection of President Obama's policies, but it is clear that he did not get the message. In his first State of the Union address to a Republican-led Congress, President Obama doubled down on many of the same failed policies – tax hikes, increased regulation, more spending and bigger government.
“It is time for a new course. In the coming months, Congress will be sending legislation with bipartisan support to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. President Obama must decide if he is willing to work with us on solutions to create jobs, increase wages and help hard-working families.”
Source: Office of U.S. Senator Dan Coats
January 20, 2015
News Release
Washington D.C. — U.S. Representative Todd Rokita (IN-04) issued the following statement after the President’s State of the Union address.
“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I understand the power of knowledge. I believe all Americans should have access to quality education, which empowers the individual – not the government – to build better lives for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, the President’s plan for education directly hurts the middle class, taking away the benefits of 529 college savings plans to pay for “free community college.” To adapt a quote from P. J. O’Rourke, if you think college is expensive now, just wait until it's free. We don't need more federal education programs. Instead we need to empower students, families, teachers, and our state and local officials.”
The President also announced a series of tax changes intended to relieve the burden on the middle class, to which Rep. Rokita responded:
“I understand too many Americans are struggling to make ends meet. I agree with the President that the tax burden on the middle class is too large and that our tax code is too complex. However, I disagree that the solution is more tax hikes to fuel a federal government that is already too big, too inefficient, and too unaccountable. We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
“When President Obama took office six years ago, our national debt was $10.6 trillion. It’s now $18.1 trillion. Instead of tackling this issue six years ago, the President ran up the tab and is now trying to escape the consequences of his tax-and-spend agenda. As Vice-Chairman of the House Budget Committee, I am committed to making the difficult choices to reform our tax code, cut federal spending, and secure the future for our children and grandchildren.”
Source: Office of U.S. Congressman Todd Rokita
January 20, 2015
News Release
Washington D.C. — Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address to the nation:
“We all learned at a young age that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Yet, the President announced tonight a plan filled with more tax increases to pay for even more spending and growth of the federal government. At the same time, he failed to offer a plan to reduce the mountain of debt that has been placed on the backs of future generations. This speech completely missed the mark. Wages for low- and middle- class families have declined, while prices at home are on the rise. The American people just want a break, but unfortunately, we heard the same stale, divisive rhetoric from President Obama.
“We have a real opportunity to work together on permanent solutions that will give those who need it a hand up. We can invest in our nation’s greatest asset, our people, not in government bureaucracy. That means a pro-family tax code that is fair for everyone and helps make America more competitive abroad; an all-of-the-above energy plan that secures American energy independence and lowers energy prices; a healthcare system where every American can see the doctor of their choice at a price they can afford; and America where our citizens are safe at home and abroad.
“We are the greatest country the world has known and there isn't a challenge we face that is too big or too great. I'm hopeful the President will break from his rhetoric tonight and put forth a good-faith effort to work with his party and Republicans in Congress to get American back on track.”
Source: Office of U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon
January 20, 2015
News Release
Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN5) released the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union Address:
“Leaders on both sides of the aisle want to see our middle class grow and prosper. But President Obama must recognize penalizing one group of Americans in order to help others is not a winning strategy. It will not produce real results and only makes our political discourse even more divisive.
There are proposals with significant support from both Republicans and Democrats that can increase economic opportunity and bring peace of mind to our middle class. Instead of using 2015 to focus on issues that divide us, I hope the President will reverse course and usher in a new era of genuine bipartisanship. A good start would be working with Congress to build the Keystone Pipeline, restore the 40 hour work week and end the Affordable Care Act’s harmful tax on medical device innovation. From there, I am hopeful we can build momentum to tackle vital priorities such as cyber-security and comprehensive tax reform. Let’s take advantage of the common ground that clearly exists on these issues and pursue real solutions for a healthy economy.”
To learn more about Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks, please visit: www.SusanWBrooks.house.gov.