Clark Statement on State of the Union Address

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Katherine Clark released the following statement regarding the President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

“The President shared his vision for growing the middle class, strengthening our economy and working with Congress on the most critical issues facing our nation.  He shared a message of optimism, action and opportunity.   

“We agree that America’s best days are still ahead and our children -- our most valuable assets -- deserve the same American Dream that all of us were promised.  We also agree that dream is dimmed by the growing divide between the very rich and the very poor.

“Today, women still earn only 77 cents to every dollar a man makes.  The ultra-rich get richer while many hardworking families in Massachusetts must choose between the costs of childcare and the costs of housing. Millions of job-seekers have lost the vital safety net that unemployment insurance provides. And it is unconscionable that millions of American children will go to bed hungry tonight.   

“I share in the president’s vision of growing our economy, strengthening jobs and bridging the economic divides that have jeopardized our middle class for too long. We agree that the key to economic success is the investment we put into our children, our families, and our work force.  Investments in early education, job training, and basic protections for job seekers are not only critical, but will pay for themselves in a robust and sustainable economy.

“I believe that every one of my colleagues is driven by the opportunity to serve his or her community.  I am optimistic that fair-minded representatives will put their communities ahead of the rhetoric and the cynical posturing in order to secure a brighter future for our country.  The hardworking families of Massachusetts deserve a Congress that will go to work and fight for them.”

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