Rep.  Pete Olson (R-Sugar Land) tonight issued the following statement in response to the President’s State of the Union address:

“Sadly, tonight’s speech was more of the same.  The President cannot claim change when the same stifling economic policies remain in place. With record spending and a staggering $5.3 trillion in national debt, he again asks Congress to target “investment” in costly spending policies that have failed to grow our economy.  “Investing” is simply another term for spending taxpayer money. 

 “Despite a claim of lifting the drilling moratorium, we have yet to see drilling resume in the Gulf of Mexico. We still have an EPA actively working to impose radical and unworkable air regulations on the state of Texas.  The Administration still wants to turn NASA from the world’s greatest human space flight agency into a global warming tracking station.  Costly regulations and reckless spending have only increased uncertainty for the private sector resulting in a lack of economic growth.

 “Federal regulations cost the private sector an astonishing $1.75 trillion last year, according to the Small Business Administration. For small firms, regulatory compliance costs an average of $10,585 per employee. We can and must do better.

 “The President recommended a five year freeze in annual domestic spending.  That is a good start, but spending can and should be reduced to 2008 pre-stimulus levels.  And only in Washington is a “freeze” in spending considered a “cut.”

 “I was encouraged that the President expressed a willingness to look at medical malpractice reform.  It has worked in Texas and will help to reduce costs and improve access to quality care across the nation.

 “To strengthen our economy, we must cut spending, keep taxes low, and remove unnecessary job-crushing regulations to unleash the power of the US economy.”

# # #