WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, tonight released the following statement in reaction to President Obama's first State of the Union address. Click here to listen to audio of Udall's reaction.
"Tonight President Obama outlined an aggressive strategy for getting our economy back on a sustainable path for growth. With initiatives like the economic recovery package, President Obama has made strides during his first year in office and our economy is stronger than it was a year ago at this time. But as President Obama rightly acknowledged, Americans are frustrated, and understandably so. They are depending on us to make our economy work again for the middle class.
"That means creating good-paying, stable jobs. It means new incentives to encourage entrepreneurs and support small businesses. It means expanding access to health care and creating the clean energy jobs of the future. And it means making a quality education a right and not a privilege. The plans President Obama outlined tonight will help us build upon this foundation.
"In addition to focusing on our economic recovery, keeping America safe from those who would do us harm remains a top priority - one that was underscored by last month's Christmas Day bombing attempt. While we still face challenges in this regard, I was pleased to hear President Obama again highlight his commitment to preserving our strong national security while improving our standing around the world."
