Sensenbrenner Statement after President Bush's Speech on the State of the Union

Sensenbrenner Statement after President Bush's Speech on the State of the Union

In response to President Bush's speech on the State of the Union, Menomonee Falls Representative Jim Sensenbrenner issued the following statement:

"President Bush's speech tonight was a very real and very defined statement on the State of the Union, and more notably, on the direction of his administration during this upcoming year. He shared with the American public a slate of adventurous proposals, and extended a hand to the new Democratic leadership in Congress. It is now incumbent upon that leadership to take seriously their responsibility of governing in the best interests of Americans, and work constructively with our President.

This means spending our tax dollars wisely and continuing to keep our economy strong. This means balancing the budget through pro-growth policies, and exercising restraint on spending. This especially means taking a hard line on the earmarks - better known as "pork" - that suck up taxpayers' money by funding Members' frivolous pet projects in their home state. I support bringing greater transparency and accountability to this process, and requiring every Member of Congress to disclose the costs, recipients, and justification for each and every earmark.

On the subject of illegal immigration, I was disappointed to hear talk about a guest-worker program. I have always made clear my position on illegal immigration - any proposal that rewards people for breaking the law, is a misguided proposal. We must secure our borders, and hold employers accountable for the workers they hire. Without those two objectives being met, America will always have a problem with illegal immigration.

I also have reservations with the President's proposals relative to our nation's energy use and supply, particularly as they relate to CAFÉ standards and increases in the production of ethanol as part of an Alternative Fuel Standard. I have yet to see a study that proves the efficiency of ethanol-laced fuel versus gasoline. But I have seen, and heard from my constituents, about the higher costs of ethanol-infused gasoline passed on to the hard-working people of the Fifth District. As Ranking Member of the House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, I will take a close and hard look at the science behind these proposals, because people shouldn't have to pay more for feel-good products that don't do what they're supposed to do.

Tonight, Congress has been challenged to act on many issues. Republicans and Democrats alike have much work to do for we are here for one reason - to do the best we can to represent the American people who brought us here, and who expect us to stand by our principles."

http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=56250