WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Jay Rockefeller released the following statement on the President’s State of the Union address this evening:

“Tonight, it’s been encouraging to see that our national agenda touches on so many of the issues I hear about from West Virginians every day and priorities I have long fought for.  Our focus must remain on creating jobs, building up our middle class, and supporting families who struggle.

“There are so many proven ways to accomplish this – many of which were mentioned tonight. We need to boost our workforce by investing in education so students can afford to get a degree or the best training for the jobs of today and tomorrow.  We need to invest in manufacturing to help local businesses grow and hire more workers.  And we need to invest in infrastructure to make sure our country and state have the transportation and technology to compete globally.

“I’m also encouraged that the President agrees it’s time to bring more troops home.  I have long urged the President to reduce our troops in Afghanistan in a safe and responsible way, so we can focus our resources on other urgent threats, like cybersecurity.

“In West Virginia we also agree that we need to reduce our deficit, and that it is past time to ask large corporations and the wealthiest Americans to do their part to help keep our country strong.

“I’m hopeful that this year and moving forward Congress can work together more productively. The American people expect and deserve nothing less.  And I am as determined as ever to fight for the people of West Virginia and the causes that matter so much here at home.”

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