Sanders: Statement in Response to the President’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement tonight after President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:
“As President Obama indicated, our economy today is much stronger than it was six years ago. The bad news, however, is that millions of middle-class families continue to struggle economically and we have an obscene level of income and wealth inequality.
“I support many of the initiatives the president outlined. His plan to make the wealthiest Americans pay more in taxes in order to reduce the rising cost of college and childcare moves us in the right direction. I look forward to working with the administration to adopt a tax system that eliminates unfair tax loopholes that only benefit the wealthiest people and largest corporations. We must also work to increase the take-home pay of working Americans. I agree with the president that we should invest in our crumbling infrastructure, raise the minimum wage, establish pay equity for women workers and end the absurdity of millions of Americans working 50- to 60-hours-a-week without any overtime pay.
“As the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, I look forward to working with the president and my colleagues in the Senate to expand the middle class, strengthen Social Security and create decent-paying jobs.”
Welch: Statement in Response to the President’s State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Peter Welch gave the following statement after the President’s 2015 State of the Union address:
“I am pleased that the President energetically put a spotlight on the most pressing domestic issue facing our country. Revitalizing the middle class is essential to America’s long term prosperity. While the stock market has rebounded from the financial crisis and unemployment has declined, the paychecks of working Americans are not keeping up with their mounting bills. Simply put, Americans need a pay raise. It is essential that this new Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, find common ground with the President to lower taxes on hard working Americans, make child care and college more affordable, and create good jobs by investing in rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure.”
Shumlin: Statement in Response to the President’s State of the Union Address
MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the statement below following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address.
“I applaud the President’s call to shore up middle class families and restore the link between hard work and getting ahead. Tonight, President Obama made putting more money back into working Americans’ pockets the national economic priority it deserves to be. From job training and higher education to health care and infrastructure, the President has a plan to build on the significant progress the nation has made under his leadership. We have a lot of work to do to improve the lives of working Vermonters and Americans, but tonight the President reminded us that America is well positioned to seize the many opportunities ahead.”
