Alexander Responds To The President's State Of The Union Address

Statement

After watching our nation's 44th president deliver his first State of the Union address, I would describe my reaction as being mixed at best. President Obama was given the ideal opportunity to convey his agenda to the country. While I was pleased the president finally realigned some of his vision to be more in tune with what the American people have voiced -- such as finally putting job creation at the top -- I was very disappointed our national security did not receive the pressing attention it deserves.

Before outlining his priorities to our nation, the president stated "In this new decade, it's time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength. And tonight, I'd like to talk about how together, we can deliver on that promise."

During his candidacy, President Obama promised a change in Washington. Although we have not seen many bipartisan initiatives thus far, I hope this is the beginning of a new direction -- one where both sides of the aisle can work together in crafting solutions that will put our nation back on the path to prosperity. Although the two parties will certainly disagree on philosophical ideals, for the sake of our hurting families and small businesses, Congress must come together to conquer the financial challenges our nation faces.

Therefore, I was glad President Obama finally placed the public's top concern -- jobs, jobs, jobs -- at the forefront of his agenda. For months, I have heard from hundreds in the 5th District asking "Where are the jobs?" Congress and the president must fully commit to restoring confidence and creating employment opportunities.

One welcomed proposal mentioned in the State of the Union speech was the elimination of capital gains tax for small businesses. President Obama also proposed a new tax credit for small businesses that hire new workers or raise wages. I strongly agree that providing our small businesses these incentives is a step in the right direction; however, Congress can't stop there. As I travel around the district, I consistently hear of small businesses losing faith, and growing concerns over what Washington might impose next. Just a few short weeks ago, the federal government was on the fast track to imposing costly health care mandates upon these hard-working Americans. How is anyone going to gain the confidence needed to hire and grow their business when they still fear higher taxes and more government mandates at the end of the year?

It is obvious to the citizens of this nation we are in a fiscal state of disarray. Time and again, we have seen record spending and unprecedented deficits and debt. Last night, President Obama vowed to follow the example set by American families and tighten the belt of the federal government. To accomplish this, he proposed to freeze government spending for three years. However, spending related to our national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will not be affected. Again, I believe this is a positive move, but Congress must do more to control reckless spending and practice fiscal discipline. Without any action, the Obama administration is on its way to borrowing more in its first three years than the entire accumulated national debt for the first 225 years of our nation's history. The federal government must follow the American people, and discover how to do more with less.

As American prosperity was placed at the top of his list, I was dismayed that homeland security did not receive more attention during the State of the Union. We cannot be prosperous without a safe and secure country. I thought the failed Christmas day bomber and the Ft. Hood attack perpetrated by a radicalized commissioned officer in the United States Army would have resonated louder with the administration and firmly renewed their focus on restraining terrorists who threaten our country.

Instead, the president has taken steps to weaken national security by being reactive and not proactive.

In his first days in office, President Obama signed an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison, a detention facility that holds hundreds of the world's most malicious terrorists. In December, he announced known terrorists would be moved to U.S. soil to stand trial, essentially granting them the rights provided by the very Constitution they sought to destroy.

Recently, it was revealed that detainees transferred from Guantanamo Bay to countries, such as Yemen, have returned to waging war on the United States. I have grave concerns with the president's policies for transferring and releasing these dangerous detainees. We cannot allow former Guantanamo Bay prisoners to return to the battlefield, and I am astonished President Obama did not address this poor decision in his speech last night.

Congress must continue to protect our nation and our communities from the world's most dangerous terrorists; we must keep the terrorist detainees off American soil, out of our courts, and ensure they are not a threat to our national safety. It is my hope that the president will put the safety and security of our country first and reconsider these decisions.

As our nation begins a new year, I also hope the federal government starts anew. The president and Congress must forge a clear path forward, and return faith to the American people. As a Member of Congress, I remain committed and will not roll my sleeves down until our economic prosperity and the confidence of American citizens are restored once again.

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