Four IA congressmen release statements tonight

Iowa has five congressmen and four of the five released statements in response to President Obama's speech this evening. First District Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo); Second District Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt Vernon); Fourth District Congressman Tom Latham (R-Ames) and Fifth District Congressman Steve King (R-Kiron) each issued prepared statements for release as soon as the speech concluded. Third District Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-Des Moines) was the one who did not release a statement.  Read the other four below.

Braley Statement on Obama Address to Joint Session of Congress

Washington, DC – Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement on President Barack Obama’s address to a Joint Session of Congress tonight:

“Our nation is facing tough challenges right now.  Every day seems to bring more bad news about the economy.  Unemployment is rising, home values are dropping, and jobs are harder to find. 

“President Obama described these stark challenges tonight, but he also struck a hopeful, optimistic tone.  Americans have faced big challenges in the past, and Americans have always risen to meet the challenge.  It won’t be easy, but we will turn the economy around.

“As we move forward on the road to recovery, we need to make sure middle class Americans are put first.  Families need to stay in their homes; workers need to have good-paying jobs with good benefits.  Above all, we need to bring people together around the idea that investing in the middle class is what’s best for America.  President Obama brought people together around that idea tonight

LOEBSACK STATEMENT ON OBAMA ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

Washington DC – Congressman Loebsack released the following statement on President Barack Obama’s address to a Joint Session of Congress tonight:

“Tonight President Obama laid out his approach to addressing the economic crisis that is facing the nation. With Iowa losing 170 jobs a day and our cities and towns still recovering from the floods, we must tackle our economic realities head on.

“As we rebuild, hardworking Iowans still have many challenges ahead, and all Americans continue to face the tough choices necessary to invest in our nation. It will not be easy. Nor will it happen overnight, but I look forward to continuing to fight for the second district as we work to get America back on track.”

CONGRESSMAN LATHAM RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

WASHINGTON, DC — Iowa Congressman Tom Latham released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's speech before Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2009:

“These are difficult times, and I know that too many Americans awaken each day with their hearts and minds burdened with deep uncertainty. The challenges we face are far too big for any one person or political party to address alone.  And partisan bickering doesn’t take us a single step forward in solving our problems.

"I applaud the president’s proclaimed commitment to bipartisanship tonight. But, as we saw with the economic stimulus bill, speeches and rhetoric mean little if congressional leaders don’t share that spirit.
Bipartisan words won’t bring about prosperity. Only bipartisan results and actions can do that.
Our country faces grave challenges that include a bleak economic forecast and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Raising taxes on any Americans in the midst of this recession will only deepen the economic crisis.  And I have a duty to fight against any legislation that would put our troops in harm’s way without the funding, support and equipment they need to complete their mission quickly, safely and with honor. 
I look forward to working with President Obama and my Democratic and Republican colleagues in confronting these challenges in the coming months and charting a course to move the country forward towards economic security and prosperity for every American.”

King Statement on President Obama’s Speech to the Nation; King says FairTax would grow the private sector and create new, good-paying jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Steve King made the following remarks regarding President Obama’s speech to the nation.

“Throughout our nation’s history, the resolve and hard work of the American people pulled America through trying times, including challenges similar to those we currently face.

“President Obama understands that America’s strength is its people, but his proposals show a lack of confidence in the free-market system that can keep America a strong and prosperous country. Bigger government, more wasteful Washington spending, new bailouts for bad decisions and tax increases will not create good-paying jobs or stimulate the economy. Now is the time for innovative solutions that stimulate long-term growth without forcing our grandchildren into more debt.

“Eliminating the income tax, removing taxes on production and enacting the FairTax – a national sales tax – would grow the private sector and create new, good-paying jobs. Enacting the FairTax will put American taxpayers back in control and jumpstart our economy.”