WSAV-TV -
Lawmakers from Georgia and South Carolina are issuing statements in response to the State Of The Union speech Tuesday. WSAV.com has compiled several of these written statements:
Democratic Party Chairman Statement on the State of the Union Address:
Georgia – Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman Mike Berlon issues the following statement regarding tonight's State of the Union Address:
"Tonight, President Obama showed the clear path that he intends to follow to address the significant problems facing America. It also showed that he is not afraid to tackle issues that for too long have been considered politically impractical or impossible.
"Improving healthcare, eliminating tax loopholes, election reform, focusing on pre-school education, developing an energy security policy, reducing the deficit, common sense tax reform and a comprehensive plan for immigration reform are all a path to recapturing the American dream.
"The President's tough line on debt and taxes, proposals for improving the economic situation of the middle class, increase to the minimum wage, plans to assure equal pay for women for equal work, support for equal rights for all, approach to climate change, support of our military and unwavering commitment to end the excessive and unnecessary gun violence in this country show that he is ready to make the hard and necessary decisions to move this country forward.
"The President made it clear that for far too long, Congress' inability to compromise has prevented measures that would make life better for all Americans. Now, he has taken this fight directly to the American people and made the case for significant changes in his second term. Simply put, the message was clear: It is time to put partisan politics aside and work for the many and not the few. "
Patrick Responds To State Of The Union
Hilton Head Island, SC - South Carolina 1st congressional district candidate Andy Patrick (R - Hilton Head Island) made the following comment in reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address.
Andy Patrick said: "Tonight's speech from President Obama was more of the same failed policies that have done nothing to decrease the unemployment rate, done nothing to reduce the deficit, and done nothing to strengthen our nation from international threats. Voters from across the Lowcountry should be frightened that their bank accounts will not just shrink, but that their government is growing and further intruding in their lives. I am committed to going to Congress and bringing strong Lowcountry values of fiscal restraint, personal responsibility, and individual liberty with me."
Isakson Statement on State of the Union
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., tonight issued the following response following President Obama's State of the Union address:
"The president said that he is pivoting to jobs. While I agree that creating jobs is a top priority, I believe that the most important jobs are private sector jobs. We need to empower the private sector by having more predictable and less burdensome regulations. We addressed taxes in January, but now it's time to cut spending and get our fiscal house in order. We have too many government jobs and not enough private sector jobs. If we are serious about turning the economy around, we must focus on this area.
"Sequestration is going to happen, and it is going to happen because the president has failed to lead on this issue. I hope that the president will lead and demonstrate the places where we can make meaningful cuts, the places where we can find savings and the places that we can have greater efficiency. He's the president, he needs to lead.
"The president talked about the need to improve our education system and to that end, I am glad that he is coming to Atlanta on Thursday to visit Georgia's pre-k program as a shining example of state education improvement in this country. I emphasize ‘state education' because the main role of government is at the local level and at the state level, not at the federal level. With the exception of our poorest kids and those with disabilities, there are really no federal roles in education, except to ensure the education of our children."
STATEMENT OF U.S. SEN. SAXBY CHAMBLISS
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., released the following statement today regarding the President's State of the Union Address:
"I am pleased that President Obama is once again pivoting to jobs, but was disappointed in his larger message. Bigger government and more spending are not the keys to American prosperity. To create more jobs and a better quality of life for all Americans, we must tame our debt and deficit while getting our nation's spending under control. Instead of trying to grow government and raise taxes yet again during a time of economic hardship, we should be enacting meaningful legislation that reforms entitlements, simplifies the tax code and cuts spending."
Wilson Reacts to State of the Union Address
(Washington, DC) ¬ Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement this evening in response to President Obama¹s State of the Union Address:
"With a national debt of over sixteen trillion dollars, record unemployment on the rise, and a shrinking national GDP, now is the time for the President to work with Congress to achieve balanced solutions to put our economy back on the path to prosperity. This evening's remarks by President Obama conveyed to the American people that our Commander in Chief does not believe we have a spending problem. Instead, he claimed that he is willing to work with House Republicans to solve the tremendous issues facing our nation. Based on the past four years, his rhetoric does nothing but guarantee empty promises.
"Last Congress, House Republicans passed legislation that supported an all-of-the-above energy proposal, a balanced-approach replacement for the impending sequester, and a national security strategy that kept American families safe. We were able to conquer our objectives while striving to put our fiscal house in order. Unfortunately, the President and his colleagues in the Senate have refused to consider our efforts or even negotiate with us.
"Over the next four years, the only way our nation will begin to fully recover is if the President begins to change course. It is my hope that he will extend an olive branch and work with House Republicans to help put our economy back on the right path."
