WASHINGTON – Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) issued the following statement regarding President Bush’s State of the Union Address this evening:

“I would like to thank President Bush for his State of the Union Address and applaud him on addressing the larger issues facing our nation, including the War on Terror, energy, and health care.”

“While Republicans recognize the Democratic majority in Congress, we will not surrender our core beliefs of lowering taxes and maintaining fiscal responsibility.  I and many of my colleagues have signed onto a letter to President Bush urging him to veto legislation that raises taxes and we pledge to support the President by sustaining his veto in the House.”

“I applaud the President’s proposal to make sweeping changes in the way the government taxes health-care insurance, an effort which will undoubtedly make coverage cheaper and more widely available.  The notion of extending tax deductibility of health coverage to people who buy it outside the workplace – especially for people who are self-employed or work without traditional benefits will expand the availability of insurance, as well as lower costs in a responsible, cost effective manner.”

 “While I agree energy independence is an important goal, we must be sure to balance our actions with realistic solutions that do not increase our dependency on foreign oil or force industries into government solutions that do not allow for a strong free market to develop solutions. We must look toward alternative sources of energy and the expansion of domestic production.”

“The war in Iraq is not simply about Iraq, it is about the larger threat to America’s security. Our troops must be allowed to implement a strategy to see success – defeat and failure is not an option. Because the War on Terror defies all boundaries and because our enemies are unconventional, we must constantly assess and provide a system of checks and balances to support our troops. We must ensure adequate equipment and funding in support of their mission and in the defense of the freedom of our country.”
   

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