WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, issued the following statement on the President’s State of the Union Address.
“With the unemployment rate hovering at close to the same rate it was in February of 2009 and the economy all but stalled during the last three months of 2012, the
President made the right decision to pivot his focus back to jobs and the economy,” stated Thompson.
“Stunted economic growth has not only had a negative impact on job creation, it also undermines America’s ability to adequately invest in many of the priorities the
President mentioned, including our shared goal of fostering and retaining a qualified and trained workforce.”
Thompson is currently serving his second term as co-chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus alongside Democrat Jim Langevin (RI).
“The President’s call for ‘not a bigger government’ but a ‘smarter government’ is welcome news. In my view this is the only approach that will permit the nation to invest in shared priorities and grow the economy, but without leaving a legacy of debt for future generations,” Thompson stated.
“I had hoped to hear from the President a pro-growth plan that will expand opportunity for all Americans and generate revenues needed to get Washington back to fiscal solvency,” added Thompson. “Unfortunately, the President merely acknowledged the nation’s escalating spending path and combed over a record of persistently high national unemployment, while once again failing to offer concrete solutions to achieve fiscal balance and sustained growth.
“I will continue to work with both parties to find solutions to the nation’s challenges, but tonight I’m left unfulfilled by the lack detail and direction put forward by the President.”