Cohen Statement on the State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech:

“President Obama spoke directly to Americans about what we need to do as a nation to create jobs and continue to grow our economy. The President realizes that continuing to turn our country around economically requires hard work and persistence and that Democrats and Republicans must work together to build upon the progress we’ve made to strengthen the Middle Class. We need solutions – not sequesters.

“In the spirit of President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday -- which is today, we must work together. President Lincoln brought Democrats and Republicans together to pass the 13th Amendment. He was willing to work with Democrats and Republicans to reach a compromise for the benefit of the  nation. The time has come for Republicans to end their obstructionist ways and put the country first for our children’s sake. I urge House Speaker John Boehner and his colleagues to stop blocking legislative efforts that will help improve the quality of life for all Americans from coast to coast. Paul Krugman, Robert Reich and Joseph Stiglitz have uniformly agreed and said that austerity programs have not worked and that more needs to be done to create jobs and grow our economy.

“If we want to help our country move forward, it is vital that Republicans join Democrats in our efforts to invest in transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, health care, tax reform and education.  We can effectively strengthen our economy and country for future generations through strategic planning and investment.  There is nothing America cannot accomplish when we put our minds to it and work together.”

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