Senator Harkin Statement On President Bush's Final State Of The Union Address

January 28, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement tonight after listening to President Bush's final State of the Union address:

"I welcomed the spirit of cooperation in parts of the President's speech tonight and I am looking forward to working with him on important legislation we must finish this year.

"The President's recent effort to help us enact a bipartisan stimulus package is an important step to averting a deeper downturn in our nation's economy. We need an effective stimulus package. We must get it right. Investing in nutrition assistance for low-income families and unemployment benefits, as well as putting people to work right away, must be central to our effort. Economic experts agree that these types of investments will show immediate results and make the greatest impact on our economy.

"The President mentioned reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The new farm bill currently moving through Congress has the potential to do just that, which is why the cooperation of the White House is so critical to passing our bill. I look forward to working with him to get this bill done.

"We heard the President declare his surge a success, and there is no doubt that our brave soldiers in Iraq have performed brilliantly. Yet the stated goal of the surge was to give the Iraqi government breathing room to bring about political reconciliation, and numerous independent experts agree that simply has not happened. Only by setting a timetable for redeployment of our forces will Iraqi leaders have the incentive to resolve their political differences and take responsibility for their own future. Only then can we begin to more effectively address the real threats to our security by refocusing our attention on a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan and working to restore democracy in Pakistan.

"The President didn't say enough about our broken healthcare system. Americans have made their voices clear that we must act now to expand access to quality care and I hope this Congress can take significant steps toward that end.

"The bottom line is that Americans are looking for a new direction for our country. Democrats in Congress intend to deliver. The question left unanswered tonight is whether President Bush will work with us, and not against us.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin

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