Statement by Senator Shaheen on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today released the following statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address to Congress:
“President Trump promised the American people that he would bring down the cost of living and bring order to an unsettled world. More than a year into office, it is abundantly clear that he has failed to deliver on both counts. No amount of rhetoric from the President tonight changed the reality that Americans feel every day.
“Families in New Hampshire and across the country are struggling with high prices in every aspect of their budget: from housing to health care, energy and food. The President has unambiguously worsened this cost of living crisis through tariffs that make life more expensive, while also contributing to tens of thousands of manufacturing job losses. Instead of reaching across the aisle to Democrats eager to work to bring down prices, the President rammed through legislation that managed to kick millions of Americans off their health insurance, slash food assistance, explode the deficit and give huge tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans – in addition to tens of billions of dollars for out of control immigrant enforcement. I stood ready to work towards a bipartisan agreement that would have extended the ACA premium tax credits that tens of millions of Americans rely on. Disappointingly, the President never came to the table.
“Abroad, America’s enemies are emboldened and our allies are questioning the very foundation of our relationship. Conflicts rage unabated in Ukraine and in hot spots around the globe. The President has launched open-ended military operations and now appears poised for another, with no articulated strategy for why he is considering putting our men and women in uniform in harm’s way. America is at its strongest when we confront adversaries and instability arm-in-arm with our partners. Instead, the President has led a historic retreat across the global stage: from the alliances that keep us safe, from the institutions that advance our interests and values and from the playing field of the great power competition that will define the 21st century. Our most potent adversary, China, has filled the vacuum created by President Trump. Beijing and the Kremlin are the key beneficiaries of this retreat while every American pays the price.
“The American people want and deserve better than what they have seen from this Administration over the past year. If the President fails to adjust course and deliver on his promises, Americans will again send an unmistakable message at the ballot box in November.”
###