U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) delivered the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to the Joint Session of Congress Tuesday night:
“The President has challenged us to tackle our problems with the ‘can do’ attitude that made America strong. We cannot get there unless we move beyond the current atmosphere of partisan, ‘won’t even try’ posturing.
Congress and the Administration must be honest with the American people – there cannot be gimmicks to hide huge deficits.
In southern West Virginia, we know hard work and tough choices. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the President.” Jay Rockefeller
“Tonight President Obama spoke frankly and clearly about the problems we face. He called on Congress and the American people to confront these challenges together, head on, and with confidence.
West Virginians know that our economy is in crisis and that people are suffering. But we also know that we are a great nation, our goals are achievable, and success is possible through responsible budgeting, smart investments, and innovation.
The President laid out the comprehensive plans he will send to Congress. These policies are designed to:
•Save or create tens of thousands of jobs in West Virginia and provide 95 percent of working house holds meaningful tax cuts;
•Ease credit so people can buy a home, a car, finance a child’s education, or allow a small business to thrive;
•Keep hard working West Virginia tax payer’s money safe and hold banks and bankers accountable;
•Help families who have paid their bills and followed the rules hold on to their homes;
•Restore common sense to the financial industry; and
•Pursue regulatory reform and make sure a fiscal crisis like this never happens again.
The President also specifically made the case for:
•Healthcare reform, reducing costs and increasing coverage;
•Making America energy independent for the 21st century; and
•Modernizing our education system to foster economic growth and competitiveness in to the future.
As Chairman of the Commerce Committee, and Chairman of the Finance Health Care Subcommittee, and most importantly as a Senator deeply honored to represent West Virginia, these are all issues very dear to my heart. I look forward to reviewing all proposals from the President very carefully with West Virginia families in the very front of my mind. We have a lot of work to do and I will never stop fighting for the hard working people of our great state.”
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