Toomey: Obama Speech Disappointing

Member Group : U.S. Senator Pat Toomey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2016

Contact E.R. Anderson (202) 224-8609

Senator Toomey: Disappointed President’s Speech Falls Short on Economic, National Security Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement after the President’s State of the Union Address:

"Our country faces two great threats. First, our economy is growing too slowly. Second, the threat to our nation, our citizens, and our allies from violent Islamist extremists is not waning. It is more dangerous than ever.

"I am disappointed the President failed to provide a serious, meaningful plan for each of these challenges.

"After seven years, it’s clear we need a new agenda that will boost the economy, create more jobs, and lift paychecks for all Pennsylvanians. We get there by reining in excess regulation and crony capitalism; reforming our broken tax code to encourage investment in the U.S.; and finally getting serious about Washington’s addiction to overspending.

"I was sorry to see no real plan to fight the threat we face from violent Islamist extremism. The President missed an opportunity to lay out a case for strong American leadership in the Middle East – especially tougher action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"Despite my many policy disagreements with the President, I believe real accomplishments, while tough, are not impossible.

"Look at achievements Congress passed and the President signed last year: reforming education, promoting trade, investing in our highways and bridges, bolstering our cybersecurity, and fixing how Medicare reimburses doctors. We enacted a number of measures that I have championed including keeping pedophiles out of schools, boosting funding for crime victims and Alzheimer’s research, and suspending the job-killing medical device tax.

"While I am disappointed that the President’s speech falls short on the economic and security issues that are on the minds of most Pennsylvanians, I am willing to work with the President if he is willing to chart a new course and find common ground. That’s what the American people want and deserve."

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Melissa Ferdinand
Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Senator Pat Toomey
228 Walnut Street, Suite 1104
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Office: (717) 782-3951 | Cell: (717) 480-2806

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