Boehner Applauds President's State of the Union Address
Boehner Applauds President's State of the Union Address
February 2, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the President's State of the Union address, Representative John Boehner (R-OH), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, applauded the President's commitment to confronting the tough challenges that face America in the year ahead.
"The President's commitment to solving problems, rather than simply talking about them or passing them on to future generations, is exactly what America needs," noted Boehner, who has pledged to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pursue the agenda detailed by President Bush in his annual address.
Boehner lauded the President's focus on education. "The President opened the State of the Union by discussing what helps to keep the economic engine of the country running: education. Earlier today we introduced legislation to expand college access for low and middle-income students through reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and the College Access and Opportunity Act. The President knows that the key to continued growth and prosperity is a sound education system, one which these two bills will serve to strengthen."
The President also mentioned expanding the standard of accountability enshrined in the No Child Left Behind Act to high schools. "We're going to take a look at high schools across the country - see what's working, see what isn't - and work to help local communities make every high school a place of learning and opportunity."
Retirement security figured prominently in the President's address. "The President underscored the need to reform outdated pension laws that are threatening the retirement security of millions of workers who rely on defined benefit plans." Boehner said he hopes comprehensive bipartisan legislation will soon be ready. He added, "Reforming our outdated pension laws to ensure that worker pension plans are adequately and consistently funded, and doing all we can to reform and strengthen Social Security, will protect the interests of workers, retirees, and taxpayers."
Boehner also applauded the President's words on Iraq and the war on terror. "Those who wish to do us harm see the President standing there and know that what he says, he means."
He continued, "This is a unique moment in history when a great number of challenges have called us to attention, none of which can be ignored or put off for tomorrow. Now is not the time for bitter partisanship," said Boehner. "It is a time for action."
Boehner represents Ohio's Eighth Congressional District, which includes all of Darke, Miami, and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.
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