What 52 Lawmakers Said About Obama’s State of the Union Speech
Natalie Johnson /
President Barack Obama delivered his seventh and final State of the Union Address Tuesday night, repeatedly emphasizing the need for Americans on both sides of the political spectrum to come together to advance the nation as a whole.
“Will we respond to the changes of our time with fear, turning inward as a nation, and turning against each other as a people? Or will we face the future with confidence in who we are, what we stand for, and the incredible things we can do together?” the president asked.
Obama said one of his few regrets during his past seven years in office is that “the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better.”
Speaking in the U.S. House gallery, Obama touched on contentious topics ranging from climate change to his push for shutting down Guantanamo Bay to the Affordable Care Act.
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle took to Twitter to assess the effectiveness of the president’s past policies and future proposals. Here’s what they had to say.
POTUS’ liberal wish list in #SOTU goes to show he will not look for ways to move the country forward, but instead to score political points.
— Charles Boustany (@RepBoustany) January 13, 2016
Mr. President: we want to hear you are sending military to Iran to retrieve our 10 sailors. Climate change sure didn’t take ’em. #SOTU
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) January 13, 2016
Our #immigration system is broken, but President’s #amnesty isn’t the way to fix it. #SOTU
— Charles Boustany (@RepBoustany) January 13, 2016
POTUS said over 20 times that he does not have the power to change our nation’s immigration laws unilaterally yet he did so anyway. #SOTU
— JudgeCarter (@JudgeCarter) January 13, 2016
Great to hear @POTUS say he will continue working on #immigration reform and #criminaljusticereform in #SOTU. Let’s focus on kids & country!
— Rep. Tony Cárdenas (@RepCardenas) January 13, 2016
The @POTUS wants to fix the broken immigration system. He should check out the Secure Our Borders First Act and do border security first!
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) January 13, 2016
YES! @POTUS is right – we MUST address paid leave! Every American worker deserves it! #SOTU
— Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS said he wants to work together. How about working with Congress instead of continuing to govern by executive order. #SOTU #LastSOTU
— Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) January 13, 2016
It’s time to raise the minimum wage & give workers a much-needed raise. #SOTU
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) January 13, 2016
Well, I am all for a short speech. And that is not a slam against the President. I think ALL political speeches should be shorter.
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
Mr. President, we’ve heard about your plans for ‘change’ before. It failed us these last 8 years. We need action and real leadership.
— Lynn Westmoreland (@RepWestmoreland) January 13, 2016
While we have come a long way, @POTUS is right, we have plenty left to do- #CIR, equal pay, & raising the minimum wage are just a few #SOTU
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) January 13, 2016
If we can afford to send them overseas, we can afford to take care of our #veterans when they return home. Time 2 INVEST in our heroes #SOTU
— US Rep. Rick Nolan (@USRepRickNolan) January 13, 2016
Under @POTUS, unemployment dropped from third highest in country– 12.2% to 5.7%–in California. #CA17 #ThanksObama #LastSOTU
— Rep. Mike Honda (@RepMikeHonda) January 13, 2016
The Obama Administration made the first federal job training program reform in nearly 20 years. Makes me feel like: #ThanksObama #CA17 #SOTU
— Rep. Mike Honda (@RepMikeHonda) January 13, 2016
Progress? The past 7 years have been full of bad policies and executive overreach. #SOTU
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 13, 2016
#Obamacare fundamentally flawed. Law will cost taxpayers > $116 billion a year. #SOTU
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) January 13, 2016
So far the President sounds like he is just recycling the same speech from the last few years. #LastSOTU
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) January 13, 2016
Lots of talk from @POTUS about working with Congress. Wish his actions matched his words. He seems to prefer governing by executive orders.
— Peter Roskam (@PeterRoskam) January 13, 2016
Since the last #SOTU, gay marriage has become the law of the land. Progress to celebrate
— Janice Hahn (@Rep_JaniceHahn) January 13, 2016
He says greatest economic recovery, yet our country is facing a national debt crisis with nearly $19 trillion #LastSOTU
— Mario Diaz-Balart (@MarioDB) January 13, 2016
The President fails to mention that the VA system is broken, lacks accountability, & leaves far too many of our veterans behind. #LastSOTU
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS is right abt economy: the USA, has strongest, most durable economy in the world. Longest streak of private-sector job creation ever.
— Rep. Tony Cárdenas (@RepCardenas) January 13, 2016
Obama offers a message of hope and elevated debate. #SCOTUS
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) January 13, 2016
Our economy isn’t thriving…at all—15.7 million Americans are unemployed, underemployed, or have stopped looking for a job altogether. #SOTU
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 13, 2016
We’re facing increased #nationalsecurity threats. @POTUS can’t #closeGITMO. #SOTU
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) January 13, 2016
Thanks to the President’s leadership, our #auto industry is stronger than ever. It’s critical we keep making things in America! #SOTU
— Sen. Debbie Stabenow (@SenStabenow) January 13, 2016
How do we keep US safe? America is less safe, less respected on global stage than it was 8 years ago. POTUS has not answered that ?. #SOTU
— Charles Boustany (@RepBoustany) January 13, 2016
Wow, this is going to be a long night, regardless of how short the speech is. I am really not sure if he been around the country recently.
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
Mr President we ‘give everyone a fair shot at opportunity’ by getting the government out of the way. We need less gov’t, not more. #LastSOTU
— Lynn Westmoreland (@RepWestmoreland) January 13, 2016
Completely agree @POTUS – we’ve made progress, but we need to make more. We have to do better for our workers. #SOTU
— Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) January 13, 2016
Our economy isn’t thriving…at all—15.7 million Americans are unemployed, underemployed, or have stopped looking for a job altogether. #SOTU
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 13, 2016
Consider this: if the labor force participation rate was the same as when .@POTUS took office, the unemployment rate would be 9.4 percent.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 13, 2016
Mr. President, the American people are anxious about the economy because of the policies you put in place. #POTUS’ #LastSOTU
— Congressman Hice (@CongressmanHice) January 13, 2016
Somebody must pay for “no cost” college. Who? #SOTU
— Jim Bridenstine (@RepJBridenstine) January 13, 2016
Who will pay for two years of community college at no cost? The taxpayers. There is no such thing as a free lunch, econ 101. #LastSOTU
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS is right #SocialSecurity and #Medicare need to be protected not weakened #SOTU
— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) January 13, 2016
Every modern day U.S. President has acknowledged the urgency of healthcare reform, but @POTUS answered the call w/ passage of the ACA. #SOTU
— Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) January 13, 2016
Agree with #POTUS, we shouldn’t take away healthcare from 7.7 million women.
— Julia Brownley (@JuliaBrownley26) January 13, 2016
POTUS continues to believe the false reality that the #ACA is living up to its promises—and especially for Alaskans. #SOTU
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) January 13, 2016
Cut red tape? Just last year, President eclipsed his personal 2010 record by issuing over 82,000 pages of regulations on Americans. #SOTU
— Rep. Randy Hultgren (@RepHultgren) January 13, 2016
POTUS-If you want to really cut #redtape then why have you directed your admin to impose billions of $ in NEW regulations? #LastSOTU
— Rep. Tom Marino (@RepTomMarino) January 13, 2016
President is right – we should work together to attack poverty & make sure the system is not rigged. #SOTU
— Jeff Fortenberry (@JeffFortenberry) January 13, 2016
#sotu: immigrants aren’t the reasons wages haven’t gone up. Food stamp recipients didn’t cause Great Recession. Right on @POTUS.
— Rep. Tony Cárdenas (@RepCardenas) January 13, 2016
OK…the first place tonight I can agree with. Figuring out ways to help people up and out of poverty should be a priority.
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
So after demonizing corporate profits, he commends them for innovation. Mr. Pres. How else do we reward that innovation? #SOTU
— Rep. Jason Smith (@RepJasonSmith) January 13, 2016
Well said. @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/Qzj7qLTZUU
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) January 13, 2016
Actually, the number of Americans who believe “climate change is a serious threat” is actually dropping. #SOTU https://t.co/1RDabygvqB
— Senator Hatch Office (@SenOrrinHatch) January 13, 2016
Mocking those who hold a different view on the evidence of climate change is not a way to bring people together #SOTU
— Rep. Doug Lamborn (@RepDLamborn) January 13, 2016
Unfortunately @POTUS focuses more on defeating global warming than defeating #ISIS. His priorities are wrong. #LastSOTU
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) January 13, 2016
…Still waiting for the President to address our national security and his strategy to eliminate ISIS. #LastSOTU
— Lynn Westmoreland (@RepWestmoreland) January 13, 2016
Still waiting to hear President Obama’s clearly defined plan to defeat ISIS… #SOTU
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) January 13, 2016
#POTUS must be in denial. The threat is REAL. The sooner he realizes ISIS isn’t JV, the sooner we can eliminate them. #LastSOTU
— Lynn Westmoreland (@RepWestmoreland) January 13, 2016
No mention of the War on Coal and the jobs lost with it.
— Bill Johnson (@RepBillJohnson) January 13, 2016
Listen to @POTUS: immigrants aren’t the reason why wages aren’t rising — that’s a decision in corporate board room.
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 13, 2016
What #POTUS calls ‘dirty energy’ is what allows America 2 have competitive advantage over rest of the world. W/o we lose our advantage #SOTU
— Rep. Jason Smith (@RepJasonSmith) January 13, 2016
Our economy is weak. Wages are stagnant. 45 million people are living in poverty. This is not good enough, Mr. President. #LastSOTU
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) January 13, 2016
#SOTU It has taken approximately 30 min. for @POTUS to discuss the safety & security of Americans. Shows where his priorities are.
— Rep. Doug Lamborn (@RepDLamborn) January 13, 2016
The President still refuses to say radical Islamic terrorists. #SOTU
— Jim Bridenstine (@RepJBridenstine) January 13, 2016
The President seems completely lost when it comes to #ISIS. He needs to call the enemy what they are: radical Islamic terrorists. #LastSOTU
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) January 13, 2016
POTUS’s failed foreign policy: ? #ISIS isn’t contained ? #Iran & #NorthKorea continue aggression ? Putin, Iran & ISIS are filling the vacuum
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 13, 2016
Over the last 7 years, @POTUS’s strategy has put our national security at risk and made America less safe.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS has claimed “#ISIS is contained.” We know this is far from the truth. #SOTU
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) January 13, 2016
I agree with @POTUS – ISIL does not represent of one of the world’s largest religions #SOTU
— Rep. Bennie Thompson (@HomelandDems) January 13, 2016
I trust @POTUS‘s leadership on taking on #ISIL. The President has done this before, just #AskOsamaBinLaden. #ThanksObama #LastSOTU
— Rep. Mike Honda (@RepMikeHonda) January 13, 2016
Seven years of “leading from behind” have left our allies uneasy and our citizens less safe #SOTU
— Patrick Meehan (@RepMeehan) January 13, 2016
The @POTUS says the world calls us, true, but we aren’t leading the fight against ISIS. We have to do more.
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) January 13, 2016
As @POTUS said, America’s primary strength is not military might; it’s our shared work for a safer, healthier & more prosperous world. #SOTU
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 13, 2016
.@potus is worried about helping “next wave of refugees.” They’re here. You’re deporting them. Stop & give them asylum from rape & murder.
— Rep. Tony Cárdenas (@RepCardenas) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS brazenly touts #BadIranDeal while, at this exact moment, US sailors are detained in Iranian custody. #LastSOTU #SOTU
— Diane Black (@RepDianeBlack) January 13, 2016
Who does @POTUS think he’s fooling with his claims to quell #Iran? They’ve already broken the agreement and taken our sailors captive today!
— Rep. Tom Marino (@RepTomMarino) January 13, 2016
The President mentions #Iran, but fails to address the fact that they are holding U.S. sailors hostage as he speaks. Unreal. #LastSOTU
— Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) January 13, 2016
Not one mention of recent missile testing in Iran or nukes in North Korea. Do you feel safe? #SOTU #LastSOTU
— Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill) January 13, 2016
Diplomacy that ends threats of nuclear weapons or climate change and international aid that lifts others up IS American leadership #SOTU
— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) January 13, 2016
By “shut down #Guantanamo“, the President means move it to South Carolina, or Kansas or Colorado.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) January 13, 2016
Mr. President you’ve done enough, now it’s our time to repair the damage you have done and make this country great again #FinalSOTU #SOTU
— JudgeCarter (@JudgeCarter) January 13, 2016
As President Obama quotes @Pontifex tonight, may he also remember Pope Francis’s call to protect the unborn. #ProLife #SOTU
— Diane Black (@RepDianeBlack) January 13, 2016
It goes against our values our nation was founded on to single out and vilify those of a certain faith or ethnicity #SOTU
— Rep. Bennie Thompson (@HomelandDems) January 13, 2016
I agree that insulting people on the basis of their faith is wrong. #preach
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
But hasn’t the president done exactly that to devout Christians who object, on religious grounds, to abortion or gay marriage?
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
He tells Christians that they have to abandon their principles in order to be right-thinking Americans. Is that right? Is it fair?
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
Do you think he even sees any parallel between what he wants for Muslims and how he is actually treating Christians? #justsaying
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
2009 vs Today: This is the progress we’ve made over the past 7 years. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/agLh8xg8E6
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) January 13, 2016
Why don’t you start out by telling us where you are willing to work with us.
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
Because you are almost an hour into your speech so far, and you are sadly short on bipartisan ideas so far.
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
Unless, of course, “bipartisanship” to the President means that I just accept his way of seeing the world.
— Rep. Mick Mulvaney (@RepMickMulvaney) January 13, 2016
Obama’s last #SOTU almost over & still won’t define ISIS as what they r, give plan 2 defeat them & not a word regarding 10 Navy sailors
— Rep. Trent Franks (@RepTrentFranks) January 13, 2016
The Obama Legacy: Unprecedented abuse of executive overreach that threatens the foundation of our Republic. #LastSOTU
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 13, 2016
The end of the speech is near and I haven’t heard POTUS’s plan to defeat ISIS. Not really surprised but disappointed.
— Blaine Luetkemeyer (@RepBlainePress) January 13, 2016
It’s clear he doesn’t understand the solutions that will get our nation back on track begin w/American people, not Washington bureaucrats.
— Virginia Foxx (@virginiafoxx) January 13, 2016
Instead he wants to maintain the status quo & continues to promote top-down, one-size-fits-all federal dictates that stymie economic growth.
— Virginia Foxx (@virginiafoxx) January 13, 2016
THANKFULLY, we’ve finally reached @POTUS FINAL State of the Union. His vision for America has been a colossal failure #LastSOTU
— Rep Robert Pittenger (@reppittenger) January 13, 2016