Straight Talk: Committee Members React to Obama's State of the Union Address

Statement

Friends:

President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union address earlier this week. During the address, the President once again pledged a renewed focus on jobs, promising to "invest' in our economy.

Whether it is called a stimulus, a bailout or an investment - it means more spending. With a record deficit of over one trillion dollars, we cannot allow the federal government to continue this out-of-control spending spree. Americans simply will not tolerate burying their children and grandchildren in more debt.

Many of my colleagues on the House Small Business Committee expressed similar views in their reactions to the State of the Union:

Rep. Steve King (R-IA): "We need to take the shovel out of the President's hands and stop his spending."

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO): "Anyone can see that adding to the $14 trillion deficit will do nothing to create jobs or grow the economy."

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN): "We have heard the President, and his fellow Democrats, talk about creating jobs since 2008, but the fact is they have failed to produce on their promise, while still increasing federal spending. We must create a friendly environment for American businesses to return to doing what they do best -- growing our economy and creating jobs."

We need a new approach in Washington. The government cannot create jobs, but -- with the right polices -- it can set the table for economic growth and create certainty for our nation's small business owners. As the Chairman of the Small Business Committee, I intend to work with my colleagues to cut spending, rein in the scope of government, and eliminate unmanageable regulations and programs that stifle job creation.

Sam Graves
Chairman

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