Real Bipartisan Cooperation Needed From President to Improve the State of Our Union

Op-Ed

In the wake of President Bush's delivery of his eighth and final State of the Union address, Americans throughout the nation and within Maryland's 5th Congressional District continue to find themselves facing a number of real and serious challenges. The economy has weakened; the costs of health care, energy, and education are on the rise; millions of homeowners are at risk of losing their homes; and millions more low- and middle-class Americans are struggling just to make ends meet.

As we enter the second year of the new Congress, we continue to move this nation in a new direction, with bipartisan action on significant initiatives to restore the American dream; protect our citizens and strengthen the security of our nation; and restore accountability and fiscal responsibility to our government. The nation, however, continues to face significant challenges that demand greater bipartisan cooperation and, in particular, stronger leadership from our President.

I am proud that on one of the most pressing and urgent challenges before us - the struggling economy - Republicans and Democrats in Congress have found common ground with the President on a bipartisan plan to give relief to the families that need it most. I agree with the President that we need to pass an economic stimulus plan as soon as possible in order to give the economy the shot in the arm it so desperately needs.

However, I am disappointed that on many of the other issues he touched on, the President offered little more than more of the same. Despite an economy that is failing most American families, a continuing war in Iraq, the imminent threat of global warming, and many other of our nation's most pressing problems, the President's speech fell short on putting forward an agenda with which he can build broad consensus around.

For instance, the President again demanded that Congress make his tax cuts permanent, while failing to explain how he will pay for his proposal. I believe that following the same irresponsible policies that reignited budget deficits and spiraling debt is neither sustainable nor economically sound, and only threatens our long-term national and economic security. President Bush also did not indicate any intention to work with Congress to forge a new direction in Iraq that will strengthen our nation's security.

I suspect once again this year, much of the progress we will make will originate in the Congress, and it is my hope to find a partner willing to negotiate in the White House. It is similarly my hope that the bipartisan partnership that produced the economic stimulus package is a sign of things to come. But the President must do much more than simply give speeches that promise progress and commit to cooperation - he must work with Congress to make it happen.

In the year ahead, the Democratic majorities in Congress hope to find a willing partner in the President to find real solutions to the issues important to all Americans, from changing direction in Iraq and refocusing our fight against terrorists, to addressing pocketbook issues here at home and ensuring that the nation we leave for our children and grandchildren is greater than the one we inherited.

Indeed, in his State of the Union address, the President appealed to the spirit of bipartisanship to carry out the people's business. Unlike his first seven years in office, I hope that the President stays true to his pledges of bipartisan cooperation and uses his final year to work with the Congress to make real progress over the next year- and progress is what our citizens expect and deserve.

The true measure of the President's commitment to bipartisanship will be seen in the results that we can achieve by working together. In these challenging times, when our nation is at war and when our economy is slumping, it is vital for the President to show leadership and a willingness to find common ground that yields the greatest results for the American people.

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