WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this evening following President Obama's State of the Union address to Congress:

"After five years of failed leadership and empty rhetoric, Americans witnessed more of the same this evening in the president's State of the Union address. Throughout his remarks, President Obama focused on what could be the underlying theme of his presidency: that we must spend more, expect less and blame others for our failures."

"Once again, I am disappointed to see that after the constant failures of his legislative initiatives, the president is now declaring that he will instead bypass Congress to force his policies on every American whenever he can. Simply put, the president is conceding that he cannot lead."

"No individual is above the law, and one would think a professor of Constitutional law would know that. This disconnect from the principles of divided government only reinforces his determination to divide the American people by punishing success and rewarding dependence. One needs to look no further than Obamacare - his signature health law - to see the effects of this failed ideology."

"Just last week, Moody's verified this danger by downgrading the outlook for the U.S. health care insurance sector to negative. Each and every day since the law has been implemented, a domino effect of canceled plans, layoffs, soaring premiums, and lost coverage has translated into a nightmare for the American people. Hard working Americans should not be left to suffer under this law's continuous assault on our economy. If President Obama wants to grow our economy, create jobs and protect the healthcare of the American people, he can start by repealing this terrible law."

"Meanwhile, my home state of North Carolina is witnessing an economic comeback - and this is no accident. Over the past year, North Carolina has seen its unemployment rate drop over two points from 9.5 percent to 6.9 percent. This comes after North Carolina declined to extend federal unemployment benefits for nearly 70,000 people in July. In the three months following this decision, civilian employment in our state rose by 39,400."

"Our state is starting to see the rewards of making prudent decisions for growing a healthy economy. But as we reflect on the president's State of the Union address tonight, many of us should be asking important questions in light of these facts. Should we continue to increase the burdens facing employers through Washington-knows-best regulations, or should we do the right thing, cut spending, lower taxes and unleash the power of our innovators and job creators? Governor Pat McCrory and the General Assembly have instituted important economic reforms that have led to the successes we are witnessing today. It's time Washington learns the same lesson."

"We have so much to do and the American people are depending on us to be their voice and the stewards of their government. I'm honored to be that voice for the second district of North Carolina and will not rest until a more prosperous and free America is protected for their future."

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