ALTMIRE STATEMENT ON THE STATE OF THE UNION |
||
|
(Washington, DC) — U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) today issued the following statement on President Bush’s State of the Union address. “I welcome the president’s pledge tonight to work with Congress to find solutions to the challenges facing America. We are already working together to form an economic stimulus package that will provide immediate relief to Pennsylvania’s working families and boost consumer spending to strengthen our economy. I am hopeful we can continue to move forward in the coming weeks to blunt the impact of a potential economic recession. “After turning a blind eye to runaway government spending for six years and doing nothing to stop the explosion of earmarks under the Republican-controlled Congress, I am glad that the president is now following the Democratic Congress’ lead in pressing for greater fiscal responsibility. The Democratic Congress cut the total amount of earmarks in half last year and brought much-needed transparency to the federal appropriations process. Being a wise steward of taxpayers’ dollars will continue to be at the top of our agenda going forward. “One of my top priorities has always been to ensure that our nation’s veterans and military families receive the quality care that they deserve, and I welcome the president’s promise to continue working with Congress to improve services and prevent conditions like those uncovered last year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The debt our nation owes America’s veterans is one we can never fully repay. We owe it to America’s heroes to ensure that we have sufficient resources in place to help them successfully resume their lives at home.” # # # |