The Following is a press release from Congressman Andy Harris’s press secretary.
WASHINGTON, DC—Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. recorded the following video response to President Obama’s State of the Union address immediately after the speech last night. While the President did not disappoint with rhetoric, his actions speak louder than his words. President Obama’s speech failed to outline a plan to rein in spending or get our economy growing again. House Republicans know that speeches won’t solve the challenges America faces, which is why they have passed a budget and are taking the lead to ensure the future we pass on to the next generation is not filled with uncontrollable debt.
Transcript
“President Obama had an opportunity to lay out bipartisan, real solutions to get our economy back on track and tackle America’s out of control spending problem.
“Unfortunately, his speech was more of the same – a my way or the highway – approach. He delivered the same empty rhetoric, along with passing the blame to others for his inability to get America moving forward. Instead of focusing on getting Americans working again, he instead focused on issues like gun control and climate change.
“House Republicans have recognized the urgent need to tackle the economic challenges we face. America’s spending is out of control. During the president’s speech tonight, America spent $450 million dollars, much of which was borrowed from places like China.
“This has to end. We have a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to make sure the future we pass on to them is as free and prosperous as the one our parents passed on to us.
“Families and businesses all over Maryland know that when times are tough, you figure out your priorities and cut back on what you don’t need. President Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi don’t understand this simple concept. Just last week, Nancy Pelosi said that we don’t have a spending problem. Four straight trillion dollar deficits under the President’s watch clearly shows we have a spending problem.
“Republicans in the House have done the responsible thing and passed a budget the last two years, budgets that put us on a path to fiscal responsibility. It’s time for real leaders in Washington who will address our challenges head on, instead of passing them on to our kids and grandkids. Thank you.”
Matt Sauvage
Press Secretary
Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-1)
1533 Longworth HOB | Washington, DC 20515
O: 202-226-4870
M: 202-441-7940
[email protected]
@mattsauvage
Joe Irr says
Am I missing something? Congressman Harris says the House has passed a budget the last two years, but other things I read state there has been no Federal Budget adopted since 2009? What is the truth? Does Congressman Harris have ideas on how to deal with serious situations such as how to moderate rampant killing of school children and other citizens? Does Congressman Harris have the time to develop plans for protecting the jobs and the environment of the Eastern Shore, a major portion of his congressional district? Is Congressman Harris acting in the best interests of his constituents and the country as a whole by constantly denigrating the efforts being put forward by our President?
Ben Ford says
The answer to your questions is “No”. Harris has nothing constructive to say except to regurgitate criticisms we have all heard thousands of times. The part I particularly liked was the statement “We have a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to make sure the future we pass on to them is as free and prosperous as the one our parents passed on to us.” This is fine as long as this statement does NOT include the environment? Or Civil Liberties? It seems to be conveniently forgotten by many politicians from BOTH parties that just because something is sustainable, does not make it unprofitable. It is a constant source of disappointment to me that my fellow Eastern Shore-people voted in someone who obviously has so little regard and respect for his constituents.
Robert Sweetman says
Yes, I think you’re missing something…
Fletcher R. Hall says
What are the Republicans going to do to restore sanity to Washington?
Last night, havint two responses to the President’s speech. one by Sen. Rubio and another by the Tea Party, with Sen. Rand Paul, did not make it appear there is a united front by the GOP.
Lets get tother and git er done!
mary wood says
I don’t think Congressman Harris was listening to the President’s speech. I heard President Obama propose strengthening pre-school education to best get our children ready to learn. I heard him propose to rebuild our aging infrastructure. I heard him suggest partnering with private industry to bring young high school students into apprentice programs. He advocated licensing gun owners as car owners are licensed, and having thorough background checks. He did not outlaw rifles and shotguns for sportsmen.
What specific proposals Does Mr. Harris have to offer his constituents? Can the Republican party do anything but say no? I can remember with great respect a former Repulblican Senator, Mac Mathias, and the the 1st district’s former Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrist who worked tirelessly for us and for the good of the country.
Robert Sweetman says
Some Observations –
1 – Yes the House of Representatives (Republican majority) have passed and submitted their end of the Budget negotiations, but the US Senate (Democratic Majority) hasn’t, and it hasn’t done it in 4 years…
2 – Obama said a lot in his State of the Union address. He’s basically said the same thing the last 4 years (Google them..) with the same dead end results. He said a lot about “Investing” in programs that wouldn’t add a dime to the deficit…He said the same thing in 2011 and we see how well those promises were fulfilled. If it’s not going to add anything to the deficit, how are we going to pay for it? How come there was no major emphasis on getting people in this country back to work, and off the Food stamp roles, and off of Welfare?
3 – Concerning the issues regarding Gun Violence, Registration, it’s not if Harris has a stance for or against. It apparently doesn’t matter because in Republican majority controlled state and local governments all across our country, they are against any restrictions or infringements upon the 2nd amendment. In Democratically majority controlled states (such as Maryland) their views are in the total and completely opposite direction and view. Also, we license car owners because driving is a privilege which must be earned, not a right. Having a Firearm is a Right which is granted and given to every responsible citizen, not a privilege. And the 2nd Amendment is not about hunting…How many times does this have to be said???? It’s about Tyranny and self protection. If you don’t think your government would do anything against it’s citizens, then I guess you never heard about the Japanese/Americans being interred in their own country, or the Battle of Athens, Tennessee in 1946 against a corrupt government.
4 – Same thing goes for Harris’ stance on job creation. He’s got a Democratic majority state government that taxes both it’s citizens and businesses to the point they no longer want to operate here, they over regulate ( i.e. microbrewery here in Chestertown is a prime and excellent example; although i don’t drink ) to the point if a door is actually opened, they immediately slam it shut and bolt the lock shut…Those thinking that Harris can actually change something in this environment are close-minded and extremely biased. If those critical of Harris’ inability to accomplish anything, maybe they should stop using him as a whipping boy and tell those that they did support and put in office to consider his points and get them all to work together on middle grounds regardless of political persuasion, and govern by principle instead of politics….
5 – ” Is Congressman Harris acting in the best interests of his constituents and the country as a whole by constantly denigrating the efforts being put forward by our President?”_ AND_” Can the Republican party do anything but say no?”……Can ALL the politicians come up with some other plan to eliminate the $16 Trillion dollar deficit other than spending more and more money which has proven doesn’t work? Can ALL the politicians provide us a means of getting out of unemployment other than increasing unemployment benefits to 99 Months? Can we find Leaders who will decrease the food stamp and welfare roles instead of continually increasing them? If you believe and think that the Democrats have all the Answers, Solutions, Justice and Piety to fix all the problems without compromising with the Republicans, then you believe in a one party system, and we’ve seen how those have turned out haven’t we????