Kentucky lawmakers Hal Rogers, Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell and John Yarmuth have issued their opinions about President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address.
U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers released the following statement:
President Trump rightfully highlighted the successful transition that he has led from a stagnant economy to a thriving American recovery boasting 2.4 million new jobs, ending the war on coal and passing historic tax reform that is already increasing paychecks and benefits for hard-working Americans. I was pleased to hear the President’s commitment to make critical infrastructure improvements, boosting national security and our military strength, and paving the way for immigration reform. I applaud the President for honoring American heroes and inspiring our nation with a message of hope.
U.S. Senator Rand Paul:
During President Trump’s first year, we lowered Americans’ taxes, eliminated unnecessary regulations, appointed constitutional conservatives to all levels of the judiciary, including seating Justice Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, and achieved conservative reforms in health care, foreign aid, energy, and more. Our economy is growing, businesses are boosting workers’ pay and reinvesting in America, and policies are being crafted with a focus on putting America first. There is still much to be done, but I am excited about the gains we made in the past year, and I look forward to continuing to work with the President to help ensure this is only the beginning.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell:
Well, the president emphasized that America is growing again as a result of comprehensive tax reform bill last year. Employees are getting bonuses, pay raises, investments in their IRAs -- America is moving. Consumer confidence is high, the stock market is at a record level. We’re coming out of this economic funk that we were in throughout the Obama years and the president was right to talk about it and to take some credit for the direction America is heading in. We’re growing again – it’s important. We know 90-percent of Americans are going to see an increase in their paychecks. And obviously if you’re a lower-income person, who doesn’t pay much in the way of taxes, you don’t get as much relief. But on a percentage basis…let’s take a single mother with one child. She’s going to get a 50-or 60-percent decrease in taxes. In other words, an increase in take home pay. That may seem like a crumb to Nancy Pelosi but to that particular family, it’s a lot of money.
Congressman John Yarmuth:
The state of our union is anxious. The American people have understandably found it hard to have faith or confidence in the words of a man who promises one thing one day and does the complete opposite the next. As a result, it is likely that few minds will be changed by tonight’s State of the Union address. Our nation needs a President who will not only offer a plan to invest in our infrastructure, advance comprehensive immigration reform, and provide a realistic long-term strategy to fund our government, but also has the ability to deliver. We are still waiting for that President.