I had the chance to catch up with Congressman Rob Wittman of “America’s First District” to talk about the State of the Union and what he heard that was positive for the district and Virginia.
Wittman specifically acknowledged the restoration of manufacturing industry and the “all of the above” approach to domestic energy production that the president seemed to advocate in his speech. However, Wittman remained concerned about the level of defense spending.
Wittman also went into greater detail regarding two the president’s Department of Defense proposals regarding green energy and a jobs program for veterans. We concluded with a look as to whether this speech was the beginning of campaign 2012 or not and whether he saw this speech as hopeful or just politics as usual.
He also made the case regarding reining in spending amidst the president’s grandiose promises.
“The devil is in the details,” he said. “How are we going to do all these additional things that the president proposes. while at the same time reducing deficits, paying down debt, and making sure that our budget is on a sustainable path.”
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Update: Here is Wittman’s official release:
“Tonight, we witnessed a storied tradition of American government, as the President addressed a joint session of Congress and the American people on the state of our union. I believe, as the President stated, that we must preserve the American Dream. A dream fought for by so many in our history, by heroes that gave their lives in the name of freedom. But the American dream does not emerge by sending more money to Washington, over-regulation of our job-creators, or simply saying ‘no’ to projects that will bring more energy development here in the United States. I was disappointed to hear a proposal for higher taxes. Washington has not shown that it can be responsible in spending, and Americans and job-creators should not be asked to send more of their hard-earned salaries to Washington. Missing from the President’s speech was a commitment to ensure our Department of Defense is directed by strategy and not by numbers.
“But even as we disagree on policy, tonight we found inspiration through Rep. Gabby Giffords, whose presence and amazing recovery is an inspiration to us all. I applaud her strength and resolve, and wish her well as she bows out from Congress to focus on her continued recovery. Rather than placing blame, Congress and the President must work together for solutions that keep our country safe, stimulate our economy to grow once again, and to preserve the dreams of a bright future for our children and grandchildren.”
