Rep. Calvert Statement Prior to State of the Union Address

Statement

Rep. Calvert (R-CA) issued the following statement in advance of tonight's State of the Union Address by President Obama:

"Tonight our President has an opportunity to truly end brinkmanship in Washington, D.C. If he wants to talk about jobs, he should call on the Senate to have a vote on the 28 jobs-related bills that the House has passed. If he wants to talk about a level playing field, he should call for tax reform that eliminates tax loopholes but also demands that all Americans are paying into our system. If he wants to talk about helping small business, he should declare that he will not raise taxes and will end the onslaught of burdensome regulations that have inhibited economic growth. If he wants to talk about increasing our domestic energy production, he should reverse his decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline and help move us towards energy independence while creating thousands of jobs. If he wants to ensure every American who wants a job can get one, he should call for Congress to pass a mandatory E-Verify bill which has demonstrated in states such as Alabama to have a positive impact on unemployment.

"Our President can finally become the agent for change he has long talked about. It is glaringly evident that the policies of the last three years -- ObamaCare; the threat of higher taxes; class warfare; government-subsidized green energy; new regulations; bailouts of the auto industry and banks; and rampant government growth and spending -- have not worked. It is time for something new in Washington that does not pit fellow Americans against each other, but unites us through both the glories and challenges of a robust Democracy in which the Republican-controlled House, and the Democratically-controlled Senate and White House are fully engaged in the legislative process and dedicated to improving the lives of everyday Americans."

Source