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

Statement

The most important word that President Obama used tonight in his State of the Union Address is "action." We know what is needed to provide opportunity for all, to make hard work pay, and to build an economy that works for everyone: job creation, quality education, support for entrepreneurs, innovation and research. The bills are written and ready to go -- Americans are just waiting for Congress to act.

President Obama led by example tonight -- raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 and, with a stroke of a pen, improving the lives of working families around the country. But only Congress can act to raise the minimum wage for all workers. We could do it tomorrow, along with extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed and ending wage discrimination that denies women equal pay.

Rudy Lopez -- my guest tonight -- is also leading by example. Rudy is a senior organizer in Chicago for the Fair Immigration Reform Movement fighting for comprehensive immigration reform. He joined other activists in the Fast for Families -- going without food for 22 days to push for action. Rudy and immigrant rights advocates all across our nation are doing their part, and the Senate has done its part in passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill. It's now up to the House to do our job.

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