New Democrat Coalition Leaders Respond to State of the Union Address
The leaders of the 53-member pro-growth New Democrat Coalition issued the following statement following President Obama’s annual State of the Union Address last night:
“It’s clear that the American people want their leaders to focus on creating jobs and expanding opportunities here at home,” the statement said. “2013 was a year of partisan bickering, costly government shutdowns, and little progress on the issues middle-class families truly care about. 2014 is an opportunity to turn the page and get back to work on jobs and economic mobility.
We pledge to work with the administration and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a common-sense competitiveness agenda for the American people, including funding for basic research and development, patent reform that strengthens America's innovators, tax reform, comprehensive immigration reform, 21st Century infrastructure investment and a robust trade strategy to help grow our middle class. Let’s make 2014 a ‘year of action’ on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.”
The above statement was endorsed by New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03), Vice-Chair Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Vice-Chair Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) and Vice-Chair Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04).
New Dem Highlights from the State of the Union
Creating Good American Jobs and Ensuring America’s Competitiveness with a Robust Trade Policy: “And when ninety-eight percent of our exporters are small businesses, new trade partnerships with Europe and the Asia-Pacific will help them create more jobs. We need to work together on tools like bipartisan trade promotion authority to protect our workers, protect our environment, and open new markets to new goods stamped “Made in the USA.” China and Europe aren’t standing on the sidelines. Neither should we.”
Investing in Research and Development to Help Innovators and Small Businesses: “That’s why Congress should undo the damage done by last year’s cuts to basic research so we can unleash the next great American discovery – whether it’s vaccines that stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria, or paper-thin material that’s stronger than steel. And let’s pass a patent reform bill that allows our businesses to stay focused on innovation, not costly, needless litigation.”
Tax Reform that Brings Jobs Home: “Both Democrats and Republicans have argued that our tax code is riddled with wasteful, complicated loopholes that punish businesses investing here, and reward companies that keep profits abroad. Let’s flip that equation. Let’s work together to close those loopholes, end those incentives to ship jobs overseas, and lower tax rates for businesses that create jobs here at home.”
Enhancing the Infrastructure of Opportunity for America’s Middle Class: “Moreover, we can take the money we save with this transition to tax reform to create jobs rebuilding our roads, upgrading our ports, unclogging our commutes – because in today’s global economy, first-class jobs gravitate to first-class infrastructure. We’ll need Congress to protect more than three million jobs by finishing transportation and waterways bills this summer. But I will act on my own to slash bureaucracy and streamline the permitting process for key projects, so we can get more construction workers on the job as fast as possible.”
The New Democrat Coalition is dedicated to maintaining America’s standing as the world’s strongest, most successful nation. Founded in 1997, the New Dems believe firmly in the power of American ingenuity and innovation, and are focused on finding ways to foster and harness this creativity to grow our economy, create new American jobs, and ensure a safer and more secure future for our country.
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