For Release: Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to President Bush's State of the Union address tonight:

"While the President touched on some important themes, such as energy independence and the importance of clean coal technology, the need for better math and science education and health care reform, he did not spend enough time speaking directly to the American worker.  The President is correct that many traditional economic indicators are favorable, but the average American is feeling economic pressure.  Last week Ford laid off 30,000 workers, Kraft announced today it is laying off 8,000 more, 45 million Americans do not have health insurance and those that have insurance are paying more to get it, and thousands of workers are watching helplessly as their pensions disappear.  When you add significantly higher gas prices over the last year and the fact that the U.S. savings rate is the lowest since the Great Depression - giving families a minimal, if any, nest egg to fall back on - it is no wonder that working Americans are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

"These families want secure, good paying jobs, the kind that are increasingly going overseas.  The American people want the President to acknowledge that not everyone is benefiting in this economy, and he did not do that in strong enough terms tonight."

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