Washington, D.C. –  Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) issued the following statement tonight in response to the 2008 State of the Union Address:

 

“This government should be focused on what’s best for our children, our families, and the citizens that make this country great. In order to get things done, we have to work together. All of us must stand tall for principle over politics, putting priorities over partisanship. It’s about America; it’s about freedom and the future of this nation.

 

“I support the pro-growth policies that enact permanent tax relief and free trade agreements. Tax relief is essential to keeping money in the hands of hard-working Americans and strengthening our economy, and the last thing we should do in this time of economic uncertainty is to raise taxes. Washington is one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, and we need to continue to knock down trade barriers to create jobs, grow our economy, and remain a leader in the competitive global marketplace.

 

“I wanted to hear more about the nation’s most important domestic issue: health care. We need more emphasis on improving our nation’s health care system. Rising health care costs are the central challenge to families and businesses alike. We must work to enact real health care solutions that improve the quality care, that are more affordable and that offer individuals more choices.

 

“I was especially pleased to hear a renewed commitment to our military, their families and our veterans. They deserve lives of ‘hope, promise and dignity,’ and it is our responsibility to care for them as they’ve cared for us and our country, sacrificing to preserve our freedoms. Together, our men and women are fighting to keep us free. Let’s follow their example – by working together for our nation’s future.”

 

Congressman Reichert is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Children’s Health Care Caucus, a member of the Trade Working Group and a member of the Centrist Health Care Coalition.