The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Ohio Congress members react to address
President Donald Trump gave his second State of the Union address Feb. 5. Here is what some Ohio congress members in Northeast Ohio said about the speech:
Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown:
“President Trump talked a lot about how well the economy is doing. But I don’t measure the economy by the stock market. I measure it by people’s paychecks, the cost of healthcare, housing and education. And the reality is that for far too many people in this country, hard work isn’t paying off like it should. President Trump doesn’t understand that, and he’s used the White House to enrich people like himself. “Hard work should pay off for everyone, no matter who you are or what kind of work you do. We should be working together to raise wages and benefits,
give people more power in their workplaces, fix our broken tax system and address the high cost of housing, healthcare and education.”
Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman
(Statement released ahead of speech): “Over the past two years, I have worked with the administration and my Senate colleagues from both parties to deliver results for Ohio on other issues as well. I have taken the lead in enacting common-sense solutions to combat the opioid crisis, including my STOP Act, and curbing online sex trafficking with my SESTA legislation. We enacted a major criminal justice reform package, which included my legislation to reauthorize the Second Chance Act to stop the revolving door of incarceration and help former inmates live up to their Godgiven potential. In all, 31 of my bills have become law in the past year. However, there is still much more work to be done…” “The president should discuss his responsible plan to strengthen our security on the southern border, which is backed by government experts who tell us we need more barriers and fencing in certain locations, but also more border agents, more technology and drones, more humanitarian assistance, and better screening at ports of entry to help stop the flow of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crystal meth being smuggled into our country. “This is also an opportunity for us to join together to end government shutdowns once and for all, and I’m pleased there is growing momentum behind my End Government Shutdowns Act, which now has 33 cosponsors in the Senate.”
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toldeo:
“Time and again, President Trump has told working families in my part of the country that he’ll stand up for them and put their interests first, yet whether it’s on trade, infrastructure, tackling the opioid crisis, prescription drug costs, or effective border security, President Trump has not only failed to deliver on their behalf, he has pushed policies that have actively hurt them. “Tonight we heard more of the same. Ohioans deserve better. “Furthermore, President Trump’s infatuation with an expensive and ineffective border wall is a disservice to hardworking Americans across the country. As a nation, our focus should be on improving the lives of lowincome and middle class Americans, bringing good jobs back to our communities, and implementing trade practices that effectively raise wages, improve working standards, and create opportunity. The border wall is an unfortunate distraction from that mission.”
U.S. Rep Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge Twp:
“America cannot afford a repeat of the dysfunction we saw in Washington last month. Tonight, I was pleased to hear the President speak to policies both parties can support and encourage Congress to end the partisan divisions that have hindered effective lawmaking at the expense of the American people. “Despite the recent partisan gridlock, I’m proud to say that the American economy continues to boom. Small business optimism recently hit its highest level ever recorded, manufacturing continues its historic growth streak and over three million jobs have been added since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. Just last week, I was honored to join manufacturers from across the country in the Oval Office as President Trump signed a new Buy American Executive Order, building on the policies that have put American workers first again. I look forward to continuing to support pro-growth policies that have helped reignite our economy, fuel job creation, provide higher wages and give more Ohioans the opportunity to live the American Dream…”
“For decades, partisan politics have prevented us from taking the necessary steps to fix our broken immigration system. As a lawmaker who has voted for both enhanced border security and to provide legal certainty for DACA recipients, I second the President’s call for bipartisan cooperation to end this stalemate. We have a unique opportunity to come together to support what our experts on the border say they need to address the suffering caused by the security and humanitarian crisis we have allowed to go on for far too long.”
U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville:
agree to come to the table. Over the past two years, we have seen incredible job growth and a strong economy fueled by tax cuts for all Americans and regulatory relief for the private sector. Having worked with the previous Republican Congress to achieve this, the President is right in calling on Democratic leaders to end their impulsive resistance to working with Republicans. Whether it is lowering healthcare costs, strengthening American infrastructure, or even securing our borders, there is opportunity to work together if Democrats are willing.”
U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Rocky River:
“This evening, I was encouraged to hear President Trump’s call for unity and compromise here in Washington, D.C. and across our nation. America’s future is full of opportunity and promise, but to reach that promise we need to work together to solve our nation’s biggest issues. America has two paths to choose from. We can either stray down a path of division and partisanship, or we can choose to come together for a 21st century defined by a growing economy, better jobs, safer communities and stronger families. As a proud representative of Northeast Ohio, I urge our nation’s leaders to choose that second path.”
“Tonight, the President offered an optimistic vision of how we can work together to tackle important issues in a bipartisan manner — if all parties can