Reaction to President Obama's State of the Union speech

If the administration is serious about creating jobs and getting the deficit under control, it needs to abandon higher taxes. Increasing taxes removes capital from our nation’s job creators and is especially harmful to small businesses.”

Rep. Sam Graves, Republican

“Somewhere along the line, the White House lost its way. Instead of focusing on solutions to help America’s families wade through the wreckage of the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, Washington has wasted valuable time wrestling with partisan politics in an effort to rush through drastic reforms that do not directly address our most immediate needs …. The president’s address has lent us all hope — hope that the administration is finally heeding our concerns. It’s about time.”

Rep. Ike Skelton, Democrat

“He extended a hand to Congress, including those in the Republican Party, to work with him on reaching these goals, and it’s obvious that is what Americans want to see in Washington. I hope those in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, take that seriously in the coming months.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill, Democrat

“I thought it was a good speech. I think he was trying to get back to his commitment to a bipartisan administration by slapping Democrats around by not acting like they’re in the majority, and he slapped Republicans around by saying you can’t just sit there and say ‘no.’ I thought that was smart and accurate, and he led us to believe he has not abandoned health reform. That was the biggest cheer he received from our side.”

“I want less talk, more action. Over the last year the president swerved off course with big government, budget-busting policies. After tonight’s speech I’m not convinced the president recognizes that Americans want sanity brought back to Washington policies … I hope tonight’s spending freeze announcement is a signal the president is serious about making the difficult decisions necessary to tackle the bulk of spending — spiraling entitlements — that threaten to bankrupt our nation.”

KANSAS
“I was glad that he addressed jobs and the deficit. That’s really what the American public wants us to focus on. I have some real disputes with his proposals. I thought he had a good tone, but then he doubled right back around and said, ‘OK, take another look at my health care bill.’ … The American public has rejected that.”

Sen. Sam Brownback, Republican

“I’m very, very disturbed. I think the American people just see way too much partisanship up here. A freeze is certainly a step in the right direction. We can debate whether it’s enough or not. We need to get people back to work and then we need to address the health care situation.”

“I am encouraged by the president’s promises of fiscal responsibility, but his real test is to follow through and convince his own party leaders to put politics aside and put our nation on the right fiscal track …While I did not agree with him on every issue, I agree Americans are struggling and we must reduce the deficit.”

Rep. Lynn Jenkins, Republican

“I am pleased the president is concerned with our ever-expanding federal deficit. However, his proposed efforts are a drop in the bucket and inconsistent with the ongoing actions of his party in Congress … The president also must address the recent critical failures of his administration to protect the nation from attempted terrorist attacks. ”



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