Chris Murphy Response to the President's State of the Union Address

Statement

Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) released the following statement in response to President Bush's State of the Union address.

"It's a new year, and I'm pleased that Congress has worked with the President early and in a bipartisan fashion to craft a short term economic stimulus package that I hope will work for middle class families in this time of economic uncertainty.

"It was discouraging that tonight the President chose not to build off of this early bipartisan success and instead decided to recycle the same failed ideas of the last seven years. If the President were to listen to the calls that come into my office, he would know that many of his ideas are met with great suspicion, if not outright rejection, in Connecticut. People have seen the error in many of his ways, and aren't willing to take any more chances on this Administration.

"It's time for the President to work with the Democratic Congress on new ideas and solutions for our nation's most pressing problems. Unemployment, rising health care costs, skyrocketing energy prices and a faltering economy affect all Americans - Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Partisan ‘solutions' over the past seven years have had a negative impact on the pocketbooks, and the morale, of Americans and recycling policies that breed more of the same will not bring our country back on track.

"While we have a chance to work together in this last year, I will not relent when it comes to holding this Administration accountable and holding Iraqis responsible for their own country's fate. President Bush continues to fail to realize that the very purpose for which he implemented the surge in Iraq is not being achieved. The Iraqis have not achieved measurable political success, and it is past time for him to work with Congress to bring our troops home in a responsible manner.

"But if I can agree with the President wholeheartedly on one point this evening, it is that all of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people's business, and we must deliver for them. We've got a lot of work ahead of us this year, and it is my sincere hope that we can restore all American's faith in their government and our nation's morale standing in the world."

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