Chairman Hal Rogers Response to President Obama's Last State of the Union Address

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement in response to President Obama's last State of the Union address.

"Eight years ago, President Obama promised our country "hope and change." And, unfortunately, it's clear that he hasn't delivered. In his final State of the Union address, the President demonstrated a total disconnect between his liberal agenda and the will of the everyday American -- making a clear case for why this country needs to chart a new course.

"The President is still out of touch with the struggles confronting Main Street. For many communities, the only thing that has changed is the number of jobs – and the only hope is for a President who understands their plight and wants to turn things around.

"Domestically, and particularly in Appalachia, times are tough. We've lost 9,000 coal mining jobs in Eastern Kentucky, and even for those lucky enough to have a job, wages are stagnant. Our small businesses are crushed under the weight of Obamacare and the tens of thousands of pages of regulations that power-hungry bureaucrats have drafted under the President's watch. Law-abiding gun owners fear the President will go around their elected officials in Congress to place additional obstacles between them and their constitutionally guaranteed rights.

"Internationally, we are reaping what the President's failed policies have sown. He underestimated the threat of ISIS and cut a losing nuclear deal with Iran. The world is less safe today than when President Obama took office, and our nation continues to face growing threats without an adequate response.

"In addition, the President continues to propose new programs and more spending without offering a true way to pay for it. In contrast, I'm proud to say that this Republican-led Congress and the Appropriations Committee, together, have led the charge to reduce spending — $175 billion over the last five years — while improving transparency, making good investments, and expanding critical and effective programs across the country.

"At home in Eastern Kentucky, where our communities are reeling from this Administration's war on coal, we've worked to secure federal funds to support revitalization efforts in our rural economies. We need to restore the vision of unity in this nation and stand shoulder-to-shoulder during hard times. And thanks to federal, state and local partners, that's exactly what we're accomplishing through SOAR, the Shaping Our Appalachian Region initiative, to help our local economy thrive again.

"As we enter the final year under this Administration, Americans should evaluate the path this country has taken. We need to restore confidence in our nation, make responsible decisions with taxpayer dollars that won't bankrupt our grandchildren, provide the tools needed for our military to execute a winning strategy to combat our enemies, and focus on building a better economy that provides opportunity to all. Let's empower America and ensure that future generations will always be secure in this great Nation."