Washington, D.C. - Following the President's address, Congressman Rob Wittman released the following statement:
"Tonight's address by the President to Congress is one of the grandest traditions of our republic. I and many other Americans were looking to our President this evening for his plan to grow the economy, put folks back to work, and aid our small businesses. While I agree with his commitment to accomplish those goals, I remain concerned that there is not a clear path to achieving the economic growth our nation desperately needs.
"Additionally, I was pleased to hear the President's call to freeze federal discretionary spending, and end the mountains of debt our government has built under the leadership of both parties. However, this small step is but the first towards the larger ones we must take: cutting spending, balancing the budget today, paying down our debt, and making a true commitment to righting our fiscal ship.
"The President also mentioned transparency when it comes to the earmark process. This is a process which is simply so broken, that last July when I offered a ½% reduction in spending to the Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill, even that small effort was rejected. True transparency is something Congress could benefit from on all fronts, not just the earmark process. Americans deserve to be an active part of the legislative process, and shutting them out is unacceptable.
"On these issues and others, I and my fellow legislators stand ready to aid the President in his efforts to renew the American entrepreneurial spirit, because when all viewpoints are brought to the table, that's when we succeed as a people and as a country."
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
