Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address tonight:
“Our nation is known across the globe as a land of opportunity, where hard work and dedication lead to a more prosperous future. Every American should have the chance to succeed, yet this vision of the American Dream has slipped further out of grasp for an overwhelming majority of families now struggling to get by.
“Together, we have made great progress in creating jobs, expanding access to affordable health care, and improving educational opportunities for all. But it is not enough. Many of my constituents have felt the strains of economic insecurity long before the Great Recession, and many continue to lay awake at night – fearful for the future, and wondering when it will get better.
“Tonight, President Obama outlined his vision for putting our country back on track. Growing income inequality threatens to drive a sharp and painful wedge into communities all across our nation. Without increases to our national minimum wage or new efforts to help more jobseekers find work, we will continue down this dangerous path.
“With each passing day, more families face the threat of losing their home. With each passing day, our roads, bridges, ports, airports, and railways continue to degrade without adequate investments. And with each passing day, Americans burdened by long-term unemployment see little action in Congress to give them hope.
“Looking abroad, we must also strive to advance a foreign policy that reflects our nation’s highest principles and advances our interests. We must be guided by the need to ensure the safety of the American people while working to alleviate human suffering, promote democracy and the fundamental human rights of all, and foster greater peace and stability around the world. From the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria that has killed more than 125,000 people and displaced 6.5 million, to the ongoing negotiations to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, to our nation’s military and aid commitments, the United States must continue to exercise its leadership and engage the international community in finding solutions to global challenges.
“Every Representative in Congress was sent to Washington to do what is best for the American people. Yet dysfunction and partisanship has become so entrenched that many challenges have gone unaddressed. This divide has already had serious consequences. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threaten the health and well-being of the one in seven impoverished Americans that rely upon the program for food and more than 1.5 million Americans have seen their lifeline cut loose by the expiration of emergency unemployment benefits.
“With so many Americans and their families enduring difficult times, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Americans deserve peace of mind and a government that functions. It is time for Congress to get serious about moving our country forward.”
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.
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