Scalise Releases Statement Regarding President Obama's Speech to Joint Session of Congress

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise released the following statement in regards to President Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress.

“Watching tonight’s speech reminded me of reading “A Tale of Two Cities.” On one hand the President spoke about the need for fiscal responsibility, but on the other hand in a one-week period he will have added more than $2 trillion in deficit spending which represents a 20 percent increase in our national debt. Last week he signed the largest spending bill in the history of our country, adding more than $800 billion in new national debt. Later this week the President will present his first budget, and it is already expected to be more than $1 trillion out of balance. It is not responsible to saddle future generations with massive debt.

“While I strongly support the need for fiscal responsibility, the President and liberals in Congress are going to have to match their rhetoric with real actions. In addition to large increases in deficit spending, the President also indicated he will be proposing tax increases in his budget. During these tough economic times higher taxes and more government spending will only make our economic problems worse.”

Scalise also commented on Gov. Bobby Jindal’s Response.

“Gov. Jindal was accurate in his assessment that growing government and raising taxes is the wrong answer to our economic problems, and struck an optimistic tone about our ability to overcome these challenges with bi-partisan solutions that truly embrace fiscal responsibility.”

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Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309