DeLauro Response to State of the Union

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement tonight in reaction to the President's State of the Union address:

"President Obama's address tonight reflected our nation's top priorities: creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and investing in our future. We need to ensure America remains competitive in the global marketplace, and I applaud the President for prioritizing investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation.

"I will continue to advocate for policies that create jobs for the middle class, strengthen our domestic manufacturing, and rebuild our economy to compete in the 21st century, and I have introduced legislation to this end. A National Infrastructure Development Bank would enable us to make critical investments in transportation, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure, propelling our country forward into the 21st century while creating jobs. We need to become a country that builds things again, rather than just buying things made overseas.

"The agenda put forward by the new Republican majority stands in stark contrast to the president's vision tonight. By playing budgetary games at a moment when we need a sustained economic recovery, it will destroy jobs all over the country. Now is not the time to cut funding for critical services such as law enforcement, education, economic development, and health care. I will fight these cuts and the Republican agenda that will wreak havoc in communities across the country.

"I am similarly concerned about the President's call for a five year spending freeze in non-security, discretionary spending. This area of the federal budget is one that has the most direct impact on families around the country that are still struggling, and will affect state's budgets as well. It is time that we also look to other areas of the federal budget also targeted for deficit reduction.

"Nevertheless, I am encouraged by the President's address, and his focus on making our economy and competitiveness grow, both today and as we move forward."