February 12,2013

Press Contact:

Julia Lawless, Antonia Ferrier, 202.224.4515

Hatch Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after President Obama gave his 2013 State of the Union address:

“Tonight’s speech was a missed opportunity by President Obama to bring both parties together to outline a reasonable path forward to create jobs and grow our economy, reform government, and cut our nearly $16.5 trillion debt. Instead, what we heard was rhetoric that seemed more about appeasing the President’s liberal allies and less about actually solving the pressing issues facing our country. With unemployment hovering around eight percent for the longest time in recent memory, it’s time we come together on policies that will create jobs and expand our economy. After four years and a contentious election, it’s disappointing that President Obama still just doesn’t seem to get it.  More calls for tax hikes, more calls for increased government spending, and more campaign rhetoric are not solutions to move our country forward.  The sooner the President realizes this, the sooner our country can once again become the country we know it can be.”

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