WASHINGTON, DC— House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s State of the Union address: 

“Tonight’s State of the Union address was more of the same from the Obama administration,” said Graves. “Growing a larger Washington, blaming others, raising taxes, and dividing our nation among classes will not create long-term, sustainable growth in the economy or job market.”

“I agree with the President that most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses, but the policies promoted by his administration simply do not match the rhetoric. I agree that small businesses need regulatory and tax relief but the President’s proposals to date have been just the opposite."

“President Obama said tonight that he wants to work with Republicans on solutions. Well, we’re going to need more than lip-service. We have been ready to work with the President— that’s why we’ve sent over 30 bipartisan bills to the Senate that would address everything from job creation to energy production to our rising debt— yet 27 of them are still sitting on Majority Leader Reid’s doorstep awaiting action."

“It’s past time to move on from the failed Obama administration policies, and get to work on real solutions that will allow small businesses to flourish, which in turn will put our economy back on track and get Americans back on the job.”

Click here to read Chairman Graves op-ed entitled, “What Small-Business Owners Want to Hear in State of the Union Speech.”

Chairman Graves also released the following video in response to the President’s address.                                                                              

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