State of the Union Response

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino said he was encouraged by President Obama's State of the Union challenge to both parties to work together to revive an ailing economy and put Americans back to work.

But, the key to success, Marino said, lies in the path that lawmakers choose to take.

"We all want to live in an America where everyone who is able to work can make a living, buy a home, raise a family and leave behind a nation that is better than the one we knew," he said. "The only way to do that is to cut government spending, keep taxes low and unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit.

"The president talked about the opportunities of a better life that we pass on to our children," he said. "But, if we continue on the current path, the only legacy we leave future generations is trillions of dollars of debt."

Marino, the freshman Republican from the 10th District, said the president made reference to the results of the mid-term elections but believes President Obama is only hearing half of the message of the American people.

"The President spoke tonight about making additional `investments' which is merely Washington-speak for further federal spending," Marino said. "We need the government to stop spending billions of dollars that it doesn't have."

He said Tuesday's House vote to cut federal spending to 2008 levels was a good start.

"The best investments that will help the economy are those made by the private sector," Marino said.

Citing the massive stimulus bill and the dramatic annual increases in spending over the past few years, Marino said: "We've heard about the `shovel-ready' jobs but we still have an unemployment rate of almost 10 percent.

"All of that money for infrastructure, for new roads and bridges, isn't going to do us any good if we aren't making any products to carry across those roads. We need to start making products again and we need the types of jobs that industry brings."

Marino said he looks forward to cooperation from President Obama and the Democrats in Congress. Both parties must accept responsibility for the nation's dire financial straits and work together instead of blaming each other.

"Americans sent us a mandate," Marino said. "They want us to make those tough choices that they've been making all along. Both parties owe it to them to step up to the plate and make those difficult but common-sense decisions."

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