FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement in Response to the President’s State of the Union Address

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader released the following statement tonight in response to President Bush’s State of the Union Address:

"President Bush tonight addressed the nation about the need to be competitive in a global economy. Democrats agree; that’s why last year we introduced our Innovation Agenda, an aggressive plan to unleash the next generation of discovery, invention, and growth. We hope to work in a bipartisan way to move our country forward and keep America number one. 

"But America can’t move forward if we have a health care system that is stuck in the past. The President’s health care plan fails to reduce health care costs, fails to increase access to quality health care for the 46 million Americans who do not have health insurance, and adds to our enormous deficit. The President has failed our nation’s seniors as they struggle with the confusing and costly Republican Medicare prescription drug plan.

"Democrats are also committed to energy independence within 10 years. We believe we should be spending our energy dollars in the Midwest, not the Middle East. President Bush and his oil and gas company cronies simply don’t have credibility on this issue. Where have the Republicans been the last five years?

"Tonight, the President told the American people that when America leads, America wins. Unfortunately, when President Bush and the Republican Congress have led, the special interests have won and the American people have lost. That is the cost of the Republican culture of corruption. We must restore honest leadership and open government so that all Americans can move forward."

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi