Walden, Wyden, Merkley react to Obama’s last State of the Union

Oregon’s congressional delegation voiced their reactions Tuesday night to President Obama’s final State of the Union address.

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., had this to say just after the speech:

“I found the president’s last State of the Union address to be disappointingly divisive, frankly. It felt more like a campaign speech, long on partisanship and short on vision. And it didn’t have to be that way.

“I thought he was almost divisive on ISIS, when in fact most Americans think the world is in a more dangerous place when he took office. And ISIS is clearly not contained, when you see the shootings and rampage in San Bernardino and the officer who was shot in Philadelphia, and elsewhere.

“I think the notion that our economy is better, while maybe true, most people, certainly in my part of the world, don’t believe this is the best America’s economy can do, and the regulatory overload that’s coming out of this administration is making it harder to create jobs.

“So overall, I was disappointed tonight. It’s hard to say that this was an uplifting and soaring speech that called to America’s best interests. It just felt more like a final remake of a failed presidency that was divisive.”

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement

“My hope is that Congress uses this moment of reflection to renew our commitment to creating opportunity for all, while protecting and upholding American values.

“Congress must to do more to help working families in Oregon and across the country get ahead by tackling the tough, fundamental issues that are critical to the health of our economy.

“Education has always been the key to unlocking opportunity in America, and Congress must put on a full-court press to lower the cost of college and lift high school graduation rates.

“I am especially proud to have led the fight to get real traction on this front last year, including making the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent and giving high schools and teachers new resources to ensure more students earn their diplomas. The president is absolutely right to call for reducing student debt and investing in higher education.

“In creating opportunity and boosting our economy, it’s long past time for a fair and modern tax code that gives everyone a chance to get ahead while allowing us to compete globally.Last year, Congress delivered legislation that provides greater economic certainty to working families and small businesses alike, and now our focus must remain on larger reform.

“Congress must also continue working to strengthen Medicare, especially for those with complex, chronic conditions that are difficult to treat.

“I also agree with the president that opening new markets and exporting American products represents an enormous opportunity to grow jobs and raise middle-class wages. Trade done right must maximize those opportunities for Oregon and the United States.

“Upholding our values also means keeping our nation safe, but never sacrificing our hard-won freedoms. It means making smart choices to attack climate change head-on and expand clean energy. It means doing much more to protect our communities from gun violence, while respecting responsible gun owners. It means hunting down terrorists, but continuing to welcome immigrants and refugees from violent oppression and terror to our shores.”

Senator Jeff Merkley issued the following statement:

“Tonight, President Obama reminded us of what we can and should be: a country of political and economic opportunity for all.

“I share the President’s vision for growing our middle class, and protecting our planet. The American dream is built on expanding opportunity for the next generation.

“This means guaranteeing all students access to higher education without crushing debt, innovating with new savings opportunities to create a more secure retirement future for all working Americans, and building a political and financial system that responds to the needs of the many rather than the few.

“America must also continue to display global leadership in taking on the climate change challenge. It’s critical not only to protect our planet for generations to come, but to create jobs and economic growth as a worldwide leader in renewable energy.

“I was honored to have Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that extended marriage equality to all 50 states, as my guest at the State of the Union tonight. As the President said, this ruling on marriage equality embodies our great, unique strengths as a nation, and it was a tremendous moment of progress.

“But the fight for full equality for the LGBT community is not complete. Last year, I introduced the Equality Act because it’s incomprehensibly wrong that in many states a couple can marry in the morning and be evicted from their apartment or kicked out of a restaurant in the afternoon.

“The time has come to right that wrong. Congress must act and pass the Equality Act to ensure that all LGBT Americans have full rights in every aspect of their lives, and to make our democracy better for all.

“I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues on these critical issues and moving our country forward.”