Heinrich Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

Statement

U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) released the following statement tonight on President Obama's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress:

"Like the President, I believe our country is at a pivotal moment with much at stake, including the future of America's middle class.

"As the son of an electrician and a factory worker, and now a parent myself, I know what it's like to hope for a better future for the next generation. But right now the playing field is uneven. Tax rates for the ultra-rich are at record lows and income inequality is at a record high.

"Republicans have seized this pivotal moment to suggest that instead of fighting for our middle class, they want to double down on their failed economic policies and threaten our seniors with cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Millionaires and billionaires, like candidate Mitt Romney, pay lower taxes than middle-class working families--yet Republicans in Congress want to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

"The Bush tax cuts have proven ineffective at stimulating job growth, and must be ended.

"My commitment remains stronger than ever to growing New Mexico's economy, because parents deserve a fair chance at sending their kids to college, paying for quality health care, and saving for retirement. By investing in math and science education, encouraging innovation and manufacturing--both of which New Mexico is positioned to excel in--and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, we will grow our middle class and we will all be better off."

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