Garrett Responds to President's State of the Union Address

Statement

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), issued the following statement tonight after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress:

"For the past two years, I've gone to the House chamber to listen to President Obama's State of the Union Address with an open mind only to leave deflated and disappointed. Unfortunately, this year was no different than years past. Rather than coming to Capitol Hill with very detailed, very specific policy prescriptions to solve our country's greatest challenges, the President delivered a speech filled with patronizing rhetoric aimed squarely at House Republicans.

"After running up the three largest deficits in U.S. history, adding $4.6 trillion to the national debt and presiding over the worst economy since the Great Depression, it's no wonder President Obama doesn't want to discuss his record. Because the president cannot run on his record, he has no other choice but to play the blame game. While avoiding the issues and attacking House Republicans might be a convenient reelection strategy, it will do absolutely nothing to help restore the American people's trust and confidence in their government.

"President Obama should abandon his political campaign against House Republicans and work with us to address the most seminal issues of our time. Rather than vilify our attempts to cut spending and reform our debt-ridden safety net programs, he should join us as we work to balance the budget and preserve Medicare and Social Security for future generations. Instead of campaigning against us as the "do-nothing Congress,' he should accept our invitations to work together to pass the more than two dozen House-passed jobs bills that have been stuck in the Democrat-controlled Senate for months.

"Time and again House Republicans have stood up to fulfill our pledge to America only to be attacked by President Obama every step of the way. From cutting spending to balancing the budget to removing barriers to job creation, House Republicans have delivered results for the American people; it's time for President Obama to do the same. I agree with the president when he says Americans "can't wait'--they can't wait any longer for their president to step up and lead."

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