WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today made the following remarks on the President’s State of the Union Address:

“The American people are frustrated with a government that has placed partisan agendas above results. Christmas day they were confronted with a terrorist attack, an unpopular health care reform bill, out-of-control government spending and a struggling economy with continued job losses.

“I am pleased the President is concerned with our ever expanding federal deficit. However, his proposed efforts are a drop in the bucket and inconsistent with the ongoing actions of his party in Congress. The Majority spent nearly $800 billion in taxpayer dollars on a failed economic stimulus, and this week they will vote to raise the debt ceiling by $1.9 Trillion.

“In 2009, the federal government sunk deeper into debt by a record $1.4 trillion, three times as much as the previous record in 2008.

“Often when a President announces changes to a budget, agriculture programs are in the cross-hairs. As the Senate begins debate on the President’s proposals, I will work to ensure funding for agriculture programs is not raided to boost spending in other areas of government.

“At a time when the American people are forced to do more with less, it is critical to put partisan agendas aside and get our fiscal house in order.

“The President’s suggestion of new tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses are interesting when the extension of critical bipartisan tax relief, set to expire this year, is still uncertain. His tax proposals to penalize Wall Street also lack reforms needed to ensure our economy isn’t driven into recession again by irresponsible lending.

“In short, America needs decisive leadership on improving our economy and fiscal responsibility.

“The President also must address the recent critical failures of his administration to protect the nation from attempted terrorist attacks and to continue efforts to improve intelligence gathering and analysis. Policies regarding interrogation and prosecution of prisoners should be reexamined in light of the lessons learned from the Christmas day bombing attempt.”

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committees on Finance, on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, on Agriculture, on Rules and Ethics.

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