WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) applauded President Bush’s State of the Union speech and urged Congress to swiftly address the pressing needs spelled out by the President.

"The President’s priorities are Minnesotans’ priorities – national security, pocketbook security and health care security," said Ramstad.

"I’m also grateful the President called for expanding access to chemical dependency treatment," said Ramstad.

"President Bush spoke to the American people tonight in a bold, compassionate and bipartisan way," said Ramstad. "The President proposed visionary plans to ensure homeland security, pocketbook security and health care security for all Americans."

"Now, it’s time for Congress to get to work so our country can move ahead and meet these critical challenges in a bipartisan, pragmatic, common sense way," Ramstad said.