Washington, D.C. – Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) released the following statement tonight in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

“Tonight, the President has renewed his pledge to change Washington,” said Buchanan. “I am hopeful that this is the beginning of what will be a truly bipartisan effort to reform a Washington and meet the many challenges we face.

“The most important issue right now is jobs and the economy,” said Buchanan. “We need to end the intrusive tax and spend policies of the past year and work together on policies to encourage the private sector to invest and hire more workers.

“Neither political party has done enough to control spending,” added Buchanan. “I’m pleased that the President is talking about fiscal responsibility, but to truly get our fiscal house in order, we need a constitutional balanced budget amendment to stop the irresponsible spending by Democrats and Republicans..

“Americans are tired of big government policies and reckless spending and more debt,” continued Buchanan. “And they are fed up with secret backroom deals on important legislation like health care. It is time for Democrats and Republicans to work together and include the American people in the critical decisions affecting our country.”