State-of-the-Union: Jobs Clearly Aren't President's Top Priority

Statement

U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama's fifth State of the Union address:

"On the birth date of our 16th President, it's clear Barack Obama is no Abraham Lincoln. President Obama seems to enjoy dividing this nation, while President Lincoln was devoted to healing it.

"What's lacking in this speech is a true pro-growth agenda. The President has never made jobs his top priority -- as a result the unemployment rate is still higher than when he took office four years ago.

"That's heartbreaking for the 22 million Americans who can't find a full-time job in the struggling Obama recovery. Watching the president's speech they had to be asking themselves "Why are guns, green cards and global warming a higher priority than getting people like me back to work?"

On taxes, Brady said: "The President has it wrong. Republicans are going to close tax loopholes -- the question is do we close them so the President can spend more or do we close them to lower rates across the board for taxpayers. The House Ways & Means Committee is committed to creating a fairer, simpler tax code this year that lowers rates and helps America's economy grow again."

On trade, the recent chairman of the Trade Sub-committee said: "I'm pleased the President listened to me and other trade leaders in America who have been pushing the White House to launch serious talks with Europe on a 21st century trade agreement that can grow both our economies."

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