Rep. Latta (OH-05):
WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) made the following statement after President Obama’s address to the joint session of Congress [last night].
“President Obama’s address to Congress and our nation tonight provided a sober reminder of the struggles we face as a nation. However, President Obama relied on tired rhetoric of pointing fingers of blame on past administrations and fixing the problems we struggle with by introducing massive government spending, oversight, and regulation.
Unfortunately, President Obama’s proposed tax and spend policy outlined tonight will only send our nation further into debt and do nothing to correct the recession we are facing right now. During last week’s recess, I met with over 170 constituents at local courthouse conferences one on one, and they made it very clear that they do not support these massive spending bills, whether it was the so-called “stimulus” package or the financial market bailout. President Obama proposed billions more in spending this evening, financed by tax increases, with no guarantee to American taxpayers that these plans will work.
Since January, House Republicans have offered common-sense, viable alternatives to the stimulus package and other pieces of legislation. House Republicans introduced legislation that would provide twice as many jobs, along with much needed unemployment benefits, for half the cost of the so-called “stimulus” package. House Republicans also included a provision that would eliminate the current income tax on those unemployment benefits. Tax cuts provide an immediate boost to our economy, putting money back in the hands of the taxpayers- where it belongs. Additionally, we included provisions for small businesses that would cut their taxes, provide incentives to hire more employees, and free-up necessary capital funds. These actions, not pork-barrel spending, will immediately stimulate the economy and put our neighbors back to work. Our plan allows the market to correct itself without government interference or wasteful spending.
Unfortunately, the Administration and Democrat Congressional Leadership chose not to include any provisions of our legislation or include our members in Conference Committee. As President Obama repeated a new era of bipartisanship in Washington this evening, it is my hope that he and the Democrat Congressional Leadership take those words to heart as we debate future legislation.
As we move forward, House Republicans are dedicated to working with the President and the Democrat Congressional Leadership to bring our country out of this recession and tackle the other problems facing our nation. I personally believe America’s best days are ahead of Her and I look forward to spirited debate to do what is best for our Nation.”
Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner:
“All Americans should be proud to witness the history that will be made in the Capitol this evening. President Obama will make a compelling case that our nation can overcome the immense challenges before us, particularly when it comes to strengthening our economy and creating new jobs on behalf of middle-class families. Republicans want to be partners with the President in finding responsible solutions to the challenges facing our nation, but thus far congressional leaders in the President’s own party have stood in the way. That’s why Republicans take seriously our responsibility to offer better solutions to address the concerns of the American people.
“Middle-class families and small businesses across our nation are making sacrifices and tough budget decisions. It’s time for Washington to do the same. We cannot afford to pile mountains more in debt on our children and grandchildren in order to pay for a spending spree that we simply cannot afford. It is time for both parties in Washington to back up our promises of fiscal responsibility with real action.
“That means instituting a spending freeze so we can get our budget in order – beginning by replacing the half-trillion dollar spending bill Democratic leaders have scheduled for a House vote tomorrow with a clean bill, free of pork-barrel spending. That means not raising taxes in the midst of a recession – a sure recipe for a weaker economy and fewer jobs. That means supporting our men and women in uniform by providing them all the tools they need to defeat our enemies. That means safely developing our nation’s vast energy resources to lower energy costs and create more jobs. And that means ensuring access to affordable, high-quality health care for every American.”
