Rep. Robert Aderholt says U.S. needs more than 'grand speeches' from Obama
By Paul Gattis | AL.com | February 12, 2013

 

 

WASHINGTON - President Obama rehashed old ideas as the nation's economy "remains sluggish," U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt said in response to tonight's State of the Union address.

Aderholt, R-Haleyville, found nothing to embrace about Obama's speech to a joint meet of Congress in a statement he released.

"While I look forward to seeing the specifics behind his ideas," Aderholt said. "I think most Alabamians would have like to have heard more from the President on the topics that really matter to families and small businesses and to have finally heard an offer to work across the aisle to get our economy back on sound footing by helping businesses create real jobs, instead of temporary jobs that rely on government subsides."

Aderholt, who represents District 4 that stretches from the Mississippi and Georgia borders in the north-central part of the state, expressed a lack of confidence in White House economic policies.

"The President spent his first term touting his ideas to boost the middle class, grow our economy and help businesses create jobs," Aderholt said. "However, our nation's economy remains sluggish, small businesses are still facing great uncertainty, hindered by smothering federal government interference, and middle class paychecks continue to decline."

"The stagnant economy of the last four years has made it clear that higher taxes, trillion dollar deficits, spend-now pay-later 'budgeting' and more government spending are not the way to grow our nation's economy."

A lack of proposed spending cuts from Obama also concerned Aderholt.

"The President seems committed to offering rehashed versions of the old idea that higher taxes will solve everything," he said. "His refusal to engage in honest compromise with the House is leading us to the painful cuts to our nation's military known as sequestration.

"We can no longer afford grand speeches; we must see real cooperation that leads to real solutions."

Aderholt also said Congress is eager to bolster the economy.

"The Republican-led House remains committed to growing our economy, responsibly budgeting taxpayer dollars, creating an environment that allows businesses to create jobs and strengthening the middle class," he said. "With the 113th Congress we have an opportunity to come together--the House, the Senate and the White House--to solve our nation's greatest economic challenges.

"It is my sincerest hope that the President view his State of the Union address as more than just an opportunity to rehash his past big ideas. Congress and the American people are looking to the President to provide sound leadership and clear solutions." 

 

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