Rooney Statement on President Obama’s Address
For Immediate Release: September 9, 2011
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress this evening:
“Rather than moving away from his failed stimulus policies, President Obama is calling on Congress to pass a second stimulus, but he hasn’t explained how this one will succeed where the first failed so miserably. You have already seen the results of Stimulus Part One – do you think Stimulus Part Two is the solution?
“The American people need jobs, but they know we cannot tax, borrow and spend our way to job creation. That’s because government doesn’t create jobs – small businesses do. The small business owners that I talk to in Florida are looking for a new approach that will get Washington out of the way and let real, private sector job creators put Americans back to work.
“I appreciate President Obama coming to Congress to address this issue, and I look forward to examining some of his suggestions more closely. I am hopeful that we can find ways to work together for the American people. I encourage the President, as he develops his plan, to consider our pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda. Our plan will:
- Get rid of costly, heavy-handed mandates that prevent small businesses from hiring new workers;
- Fix the tax code to get rid of loopholes and deductions and reduce tax rates across the board, so businesses can grow and compete on a level playing field;
- Put an end to out-of-control spending, which crowds out private investment and creates uncertainty; and,
- Produce the energy we need here at home, creating jobs right away and reducing energy costs so businesses can grow and hire new workers.”
Congressman Rooney’s video response to President Obama’s speech is available here.