Hastings' Statement on President Trump's State of the Union Address

Statement

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on President Trump's 3rd State of the Union Address:

"President Trump's address this evening was a doomed attempt to put a shiny finish on an ugly truth: he and his Administration have failed to govern responsibly and put the needs of hardworking American families first for the past three years -- a fact that is unfortunately underscored by his impeachment just 48 days ago in the very chamber he delivered this evening's speech.

"Americans are demanding action on healthcare and House Democrats have delivered by passing 11 bills since January to protect our care. On the other hand, President Trump has continued to wage his ongoing war on health insurance, despite his claims to the contrary this evening. From the GOP-led ACA repeal lawsuit to last week's announcement of an illegal Medicaid block grant scheme -- this President has continued to put forth policies which would cruelly pull the rug out from people with pre-existing conditions and rip away health insurance from millions of families. Although he has promised to lower soaring health costs, drug prices have continued to steadily rise. More and more Americans find themselves uninsured or forced to dangerously ration their own care by skipping medications due to cost.

"The harms caused by this President, the first ever to stand before the House of Representatives and the nation during a State of the Union address following his impeachment, regrettably go far beyond sabotaging Americans' health coverage. This Administration's disgraceful legacy includes bulldozing programs that benefit communities of color and the working poor -- from SNAP to affordable housing. Furthermore, this Administration has completely denied the climate crisis by rolling back crucial environmental protections that safeguard our coastal communities. The President has shamefully walked away from bipartisan talks to fix our crumbling infrastructure and create sustainable jobs, while forcing American farmers and families to pay the high price of his misguided trade wars.

"After imperiling our national security by corruptly soliciting foreign interference into our elections, he went so far as to obstruct the very House investigation into these crimes, betraying his oath to preserve, protect, and defend our sacred Constitution. It is not only outrageous, but morally bankrupt that he has repeatedly decided to put his own personal and campaign interests before our nation.

"After three years of President Trump's flagrant dereliction of duty and outright attacks on our democratic values, the American people deserve real leadership and results on the issues that matter. House Democrats have passed nearly 400 bills this Congress, including bipartisan legislation to lower health care costs, prevent gun violence, invest in sustainable infrastructure, raise wages, and improve the lives of all Americans, and we will continue to do so despite the obstruction of Senate Republicans and this President. The stakes are too high for our country. I hope President Trump and his Republican colleagues will join us on the urgent task ahead to faithfully uphold our oaths of office, repair the damage done to our democracy, and truly serve the American people."

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