President Donald Trump made his first State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Local lawmakers have made statements in response to the speech.
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL):
“With the world watching, I hoped Donald Trump would finally remember some of the promises he made to the American people and display the leadership needed to unify this nation. I hoped he would present a serious infrastructure plan that makes the investments we desperately need to rebuild our crumbling roads, tunnels and bridges. I hoped he would offer a plan to rebuild rural communities that have been left behind like Cairo, Illinois. And I hoped he would finally propose a realistic bipartisan proposal to lift the inhumane threat of deportation countless Dreamers face because of him.
“Instead, the President engaged in more of the reckless rhetoric that divides instead of unites—and that already caused countless diplomatic crises and brought us to the brink of nuclear war with north Korea. He made little mention of smaller communities across America that he promised to help rebuild during his campaign. He failed to propose an infrastructure plan and focused only on public-private partnerships, which would force new tolls and taxes on middle-class families and fall seriously short of what is needed.
“We need our commander-in-chief to change course, try to forge bipartisan agreements on issues like immigration, and present the American people with a more positive and inclusive message that moves us forward as a nation. Tonight, President Trump failed on each of these counts.”
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL)
"If the President chooses to follow through on his prepared remarks tonight, he will find Democrats ready to work with him on lowering prescription drug prices, making massive new investments in America’s crumbling roads and bridges, passing meaningful paid family leave legislation, and protecting Dreamers."
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO-03):
“Every day I talk to people throughout Missouri who share the same priorities: job opportunities and keeping our loved ones safe. Tonight, just as he has throughout his presidency, President Trump continued focusing on these core values. Building on the success of tax reform that has seen pay raises, better benefits, more opportunity, and massive investments in communities across the U.S., the President laid out his vision for more economic growth through smarter regulation and a bold infrastructure proposal. Families in Missouri certainly welcome more job growth and much-needed improvements to our infrastructure system, including our roads, bridges, rivers, ports, and expanded broadband in rural areas.
It was also very encouraging to hear the President continue his support for our military, homeland security personnel, and law enforcement. He understands there is nothing more important to us than keeping our families and loved ones safe. Our powerful military, a strengthened border, and the law enforcement officers who patrol our streets everyday are the keys to making that happen. Like the President I am dedicated to protecting the homeland from threats abroad and here at home.
The state of our union is strong and the future is bright. By working together, the President and Congress can put in place policies that will create even more opportunities for communities across Missouri and America. I look forward to doing just that in 2018.”
U.S Representative Mike Bost (R-IL-12)
“I appreciate President Trump using his address to highlight some of the work he and Congress are pursuing to empower America’s families and job creators. Particularly important to Southern Illinois has been the new tax reform law that will give hardworking families more money in their pockets to spend on a child’s education, growing a small business, or saving for the years ahead. But we still have plenty of work to do, starting with fixing our broken immigration system and bringing our crumbling infrastructure into the 21st Century. I am committed to finding common ground with anyone, Republican or Democrat, to build a bright future for Southern Illinoisans.”
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill(D-MO)
“After a year of exhausting political divisions, I hope the President is serious when he says that he wants to begin bridging these divides. I've always said that I will work with the President when it's right for Missouri – and while I disagree with some of what he said tonight, some of the goals he outlined are ones I'm eager to work with him on. These include paid family leave, curbing the opioid epidemic, and tackling prescription drug prices - something on which I’m a willing partner, and where I believe my bipartisan work with Senator Susan Collins would be a strong starting point."
Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri
“President Trump’s alternative reality was on full display tonight. He simultaneously invented fake economic facts while ignoring the deep wounds and divisions that he has inflicted on the American people.
While the 1% and corporations have benefited greatly from the Trump economy and the rising stock market, working Americans have not. His Trump Taxscam is accelerating the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the fortunate few while over 86 million American families will receive a tax increase.
The President also failed to make any real commitment to fighting drug addiction and supporting expanded drug treatment. That is a critical failure to lead.
I am willing to work with the President if he truly wants to lower the price of prescription drugs, pass a second chance act to help former offenders, and increase vocational education, especially for young people in inner cities.
But sadly, the President continues his assault on the freedom of the press; an independent judiciary; the Federal Bureau of Investigation and our intelligence community.
He continues to deepen his moral deficit that diminishes him, demeans his high office, and weakens our nation at home and abroad. That is the true state of the union.”
Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15)
“In spite of the crazy environment and partisan bickering, President Trump and the Republican Congress are actually getting things done in Washington. Government is shrinking, the economy is growing, federal taxes are decreasing, and more Americans are confident about the future. The president highlighted those wins among others tonight, but he also challenged Congress to work together on immigration reform, lowering prescription drug prices, rebuilding our infrastructure, and fully funding our military. It was optimistic, and forward-looking.”
