Etheridge reaction to State of the Union address


Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to Congress last night:

“The President gave a strong speech tonight. I agree with his focus on job creation. We must work together for a common sense plan that puts working families first.

“Three weeks ago I introduced the HIRING Act to spur job growth. My common sense legislation puts the tax code on the side of employers willing to grow their workforce. It will go to over one million small businesses who hire new workers or raise wages. This will ensure that economic prosperity extends not only to Wall Street but also to the Main Streets and country roads in North Carolina’s Second District.

“I was also pleased to hear the President speak about the role education and trade exports will continue to play in our economic recovery. We can compete and win in the 21st century economy as long as we have a level playing field and a commitment to invest in our people.

“I also applaud the President’s proposal for greater fiscal discipline by implementing a freeze on government spending. Just like working families are tightening their belts in these tough economic times, the government should do its part to rein in the debt, too.

“North Carolina and our country still face serious economic challenges. American families are facing hard decisions everyday on how to make ends meet. We need leadership that puts aside partisanship with a commitment to work together to create opportunities for all those who are willing to work hard to make the most of their God-given abilities. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis, with Republicans and Democrats alike to achieve these goals.”