WASHINGTON, DC
– January 28, 2007 - Fifth District Congressman Niki
Tsongas released the following statement on the
President's State of the Union Address this
evening.
"I am pleased that the
President tonight signaled his continued willingness to
work cooperatively with Congress in order to deliver a
timely, targeted and temporary economic stimulus package
to help the middle class working families who have been
hurt most by the struggling economy. The stimulus
package is an excellent example of what can be
accomplished when the White House
and Congress work together in a bipartisan fashion, and I
share the view expressed by the President tonight that
the Congress must act quickly to deliver these benefits
to American families and small businesses.
"In addition to providing tax rebates to more than
100 million Americans, this stimulus takes important
steps to help families avoid foreclosure through
expanding loan opportunities. The package will
allow the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to once
again be a partner with Massachusetts families, who have
been unable to fully utilize the program's assistance
because of the high cost of housing in the
Commonwealth. The higher loan limit will allow
families who are worried about defaulting on their
mortgage to refinance through FHA and stay in their
homes.
"Although this economic stimulus package is a good
starting point, considerable work remains to be done to
strengthen the economy and ensure that all Americans
have access to good jobs. Working families continue
to struggle to make ends meet with rising prices for gas,
home heating oil, housing and health care. In a
Budget Committee hearing that I attended with Federal
Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, he said repeatedly that an
effective stimulus needs to get the most near-term
benefit per dollar, and that increasing funding for
programs like food stamps or heating assistance would fit
such a description. I share this assessment by
Chairman Bernanke, and believe that the President will
need to work with Congress to deliver additional aid for
low-income families.
"Furthermore, I was disappointed that the President
still refuses to change course in Iraq and develop a
strategy that forces the Iraqis to take greater control
of their future and begins to bring our brave servicemen
and women home.
"During my recent visit to Iraq, I saw first hand
that despite the recent decrease in violence, the
political reconciliation that will ultimately bring
lasting stability to Iraq remains stagnant. The
President stubbornly refuses to acknowledge that there is
no military solution to the challenges we face in Iraq,
and gave no indication tonight that he will put increased
pressure on the Iraqi government to act.
"Now more than ever, I believe the best and most
responsible way to bring about the necessary changes in
Iraq is to set a timetable that requires the Iraqi
government to step up to the plate and fully engages,
with our concerted effort, the international community to
bring about a political solution. I will soon be
introducing legislation which sets a timetable for a safe
withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq.
"The President also spoke of the need to lower
energy prices and address our growing climate crisis in
his address this evening. I look forward to hearing
additional details of the international clean energy technology fund
the President proposed, and how it will help grow clean
energy sources in this country.
"In order to
end our oil addiction, which the President referenced as
a goal in his previous State of the Union address, we
must invest in new clean energy sources domestically, and
pass legislation that will drive American
innovation. I strongly supported the energy bill
that the President signed into law last year which
increased CAFE standards. This is an excellent
starting point, but we must provide the necessary
incentives to spur the development of alternative and
renewable energy sources.
"Last week, I was pleased to visit Nuvera fuel cells
in Billerica, a company that is creating the alternative
clean energy technologies which will help to limit our
dependence on foreign oil and create the green collar
jobs of the future. It is imperative that we invest
in the development of the alterative energy technologies
that are being produced by companies like Nuvera, for the
benefit of both our economy and our planet.
"It is my hope that the President will be a partner
in these efforts as Congress works in a bipartisan
fashion to deliver the changes needed to reinvigorate our
economy, create outstanding new jobs, end the Iraq war,
and invest in our future."
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com The January 2008 Edition
of the Valley Patriot The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
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"I am pleased that the
President tonight signaled his continued willingness to
work cooperatively with Congress in order to deliver a
timely, targeted and temporary economic stimulus package
to help the middle class working families who have been
hurt most by the struggling economy. The stimulus
package is an excellent example of what can be
accomplished when the White House
and Congress work together in a bipartisan fashion, and I
share the view expressed by the President tonight that
the Congress must act quickly to deliver these benefits
to American families and small businesses.
