Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement tonight, after President Obama gave his first address before a joint session of Congress. 

“The American people and my fellow Members of Congress had high hopes for President Obama’s first address to a joint session of Congress, and we were not disappointed.”

“In the midst of America’s greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression – President Obama has shown the leadership and decisive action our nation needs.  Last week, he signed into law an economic recovery package that will create and save anywhere from 3 to 4 million American jobs, including over 52,000 right here in the Inland Empire.  Tonight, he laid out a comprehensive approach to addressing both the economic and fiscal crises facing the nation.”

“The President’s call for renewed responsibility is one that our nation must take seriously.  President Bush’s disastrous economic and foreign policies have left us with a $1.2 trillion budget deficit and almost $11 trillion in national debt.  I applaud the President’s bold decision to reduce our national deficit in half by the end of his first term.”

“President Obama reiterated his commitment to bringing honesty back to the budget process.  Moving forward, our budgets will not rely on the gimmicks used by the previous administration to mask deficits.  The President also stated his commitment to the PAY GO process, in which all new government spending is offset by cutting back costs in other areas, ensuring all new programs are fully paid for.”

“Tonight, President Obama called on Congress and the American people to confront the challenges we must face in order to bring fiscal stability and grow our economy over the long term.  His call to action in the areas of health care reform, energy independence, and updating education for the 21st Century are key components necessary for the long-term economic growth of the United States.”

“I am proud to continue to serve the 43rd Congressional District in this time of enormous change.  We have a long road ahead of us, but with the strength and determination of the American people, and the leadership of President Obama and the Congress, we can turn our economy around and make sure the United States is a nation of opportunity for everyone.”