FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2003
Contact:  Marie DesOrmeaux
(202) 225-3772
 
Ross Responds to State of the Union
 
(Washington, D.C.) Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) issued the following statement Tuesday night in response to President Bush’s State of the Union Address: 

 “Tonight, President Bush outlined his priorities for America, focusing on improving our economic security, Homeland Security, health care, energy independence, and compassion.  I think our President’s priorities are in the right place; these are certainly issues that touch every single one of us in some way.  The problem is that without proper funding, these ideas will remain exactly that – ideas. 

“I have voted with our President many times in the House of Representatives, and I do not hesitate to put party politics aside and join him when I feel he is right on issues facing our nation.  However, when it comes to healing our nation’s economy, I think he is wrong. 

“The President’s so-called economic stimulus package will cost some $700 billion, most of which is aimed at tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans – while our Homeland Security Department lacks the funding needed to get it up and running – our seniors are still without adequate coverage for their prescription drug needs – and our children are still waiting for last year’s promise of a better education. 

“He spoke of striving for  ‘prosperity that is broadly shared,’ yet the President proposes hundreds of billions in tax cuts without adequate relief for working families and the unemployed who are suffering in our struggling economy.  While I have supported and stood with the President on many issues in the past, I think he is dead wrong on this issue.  I agree that, as he said, ‘we must work together to fund only our most important priorities,’ but I see different priorities.  I think we should put the health, education, and security of all Americans first.  I support doubling the child credits, and ending the marriage tax penalty.  I support tax cuts for working families, but now is not the time to spend $350 billion to end the dividend tax for the wealthiest people in America. 

“I do appreciate the President’s comments regarding Iraq, and I think his strong stand is appropriately serious, especially when dealing with an evil man like Saddam Hussein.  I think he once again presented detailed evidence that Iraq could pose a threat to our lives and our livelihood.  I recognize that after September 11, 2001 our world has changed, our enemies have changed, and our approach to those enemies must also change.  Wednesday there will be a special briefing on the House Floor, where we will hear from Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on how they will implement our President’s words on Iraq and the War on Terrorism.  However, the inspectors in Iraq have asked for more time, and I hope the President will not rush into war, but give the inspectors the additional time they have requested to try and reach a peaceful resolution.”


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