I am pleased that the President tonight signaled his continued willingness to work cooperatively with Congress in order to deliver a timely, targeted, and temporary economic stimulus package to help the middle class working families who have been hurt most by the struggling economy.  The stimulus package is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when the White House and Congress work together in a bipartisan fashion, and I share the view expressed by the President tonight that the Congress must act quickly to deliver these benefits to American families and small businesses.

 

In addition to providing tax rebates to more than 100 million Americans, this stimulus takes important steps to help families avoid foreclosure through expanding loan opportunities.  The package will allow the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to once again be a partner with Massachusetts families, who have been unable to fully utilize the program's assistance because of the high cost of housing in the Commonwealth.  The higher loan limit will allow families who are worried about defaulting on their mortgage to refinance through FHA and stay in their homes.

 

Although this economic stimulus package is a good starting point, considerable work remains to be done to ensure that the underpinnings of economy are strong and that all Americans have access to good jobs.  Working families continue to struggle to make ends meet with rising prices for gas, home heating oil, housing and health care.  In a Budget Committee hearing that I attended with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, he said repeatedly that effective stimulus needs to get the most near-term benefit per dollar, and that increasing funding for programs like food stamps or heating assistance would fit such a description.  I share this assessment by Chairman Bernanke, and believe that the President will need to work with Congress to deliver additional aid for low-income families.

 

I was disappointed that the President still refuses to change course in Iraq and develop a strategy that forces the Iraqis to take greater control of their future and begins to bring our brave service men and women home.

 

During my recent visit to Iraq, I saw first hand that despite the recent decrease in violence, the political reconciliation that will ultimately bring lasting stability to Iraq remains stagnant.  The President stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that there is no military solution to the challenges we face in Iraq, and gave no indication tonight that he will put increased pressure on the Iraqi government to act.   

 

Now more than ever, I believe the best and most responsible way to bring about the necessary changes in Iraq is to set a timetable that requires the Iraqi government to step up to the plate and fully engages, with our concerted effort, the international community to bring about a political solution.  I will soon be introducing legislation which sets a timetable for a safe withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq.

 

The President also spoke of the need to lower energy prices and address our growing climate crisis in his address this evening.  I look forward to hearing additional details of the international clean energy technology fund the President proposed, and how it will help grow clean energy sources in this country. 

 

In order to end our oil addiction, which the President referenced as a goal in his previous State of the Union address, we must invest in new clean energy sources domestically, and pass legislation that will drive American innovation.  I strongly supported the energy bill that the President signed into law last year which increased CAFE standards.  This is an excellent starting point, but we must provide the necessary incentives to spur the development of alternative and renewable energy sources.

 

Last week, I was pleased to visit Nuvera fuel cells in Billerica, a company that is creating the alternative clean energy technologies which will help to limit our dependence on foreign oil and create the green collar jobs of the future.  It is imperative that we invest in the development of the alterative energy technologies that are being produced by companies like Nuvera, for the benefit of both our economy and our planet.

 

It is my hope that the President will be a partner in these efforts as Congress works in a bipartisan fashion to deliver the changes needed to re-invigorate our economy, create outstanding new jobs, end the Iraq war, and invest in our future.