Statement by Rep. Mike Thompson on the President's State of the Union Address

Statement by Rep. Mike Thompson on the President's State of the Union Address

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the president's State of the Union address:

"The president's State of the Union speech touched on many issues that are critically important to our district and country. His call for more affordable healthcare options, better immigration policies, an improved education system, sound fiscal policy and an effort to achieve energy independence speaks directly to the urgent needs of the American public. I'm anxious to help create strong public policy that addresses these and other important issues."

"However, the president has used this speech to talk about important issues in the past, yet solutions have rarely materialized. He has made similar calls for improved healthcare, energy independence, immigration reform, expanding educational opportunities, job growth and fiscal responsibility in last year's address; however, these proposals never became reality."

"Last year, he also said that troop levels in Iraq would be reduced, but today he is calling for an escalation of our forces to Iraq. His words tonight certainly haven't changed my mind about the war in Iraq, and I doubt that they have changed the minds of the American public. His policy for Iraq is severely flawed and he is ignoring the will of the Iraqi government, our military commanders on the ground, the Congress and the American people."

"Fortunately, Americans voted to change the direction in which the federal government is leading our great nation. The Congress will provide aggressive oversight to all of the president's proposals discussed tonight, especially his plans for Iraq."

"I remain committed to creating solid public policy that addresses the needs and concerns of our district and country."

http://mikethompson.house.gov/newsroom/index.asp?ID=113