(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves issued the following statement after the President’s State of the Union Address to Congress.

"The President has once again pledged a renewed focus on jobs, promising to ‘invest’ in our economy. Whether it is called a stimulus, a bailout or an investment- it means more spending. With a record deficit of over one trillion dollars, we cannot allow the federal government to continue this out-of-control spending spree. Americans simply will not tolerate burying their children and grandchildren in more debt.

The mandate of this Congress is to cut spending and stop placing burdens on our nation’s job creators. The President tonight indicated that he will continue spending and continue to push his takeover of the American health care system.

I call on the United States Senate to take an up or down vote on the repeal of the health care law. The Senate says it has the votes to beat an attempt to repeal it…but I’m from Missouri and you have to show me that. I believe the Senate has the votes to repeal this measure and its refusal to even consider the question shows how out of step it is with Missourians.

 It’s time for a new approach in Washington. In Missouri, we know that the government does not create jobs, but – with the right polices – it can set the table for economic growth and create certainty for our nation’s small business owners. As the Chairman of the Small Business Committee, I intend to work with my colleagues to cut spending, rein in the scope of government, and eliminate unmanageable regulations and programs that stifle job creation."

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