Van Hollen Statement on State of the Union Address

Tonight U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“The White House promised this State of the Union would be one of unity and a vision for bipartisan cooperation. But most of what we heard tonight was the same division and dishonesty that sadly has become the hallmark of this presidency. The President could have used this time to offer concrete plans on bipartisan economic priorities that actually help working people. Instead, he was long on empty promises and short on real policy proposals. Two years into the Trump Administration, the fact remains that he has failed to strengthen the middle class and those working to join the middle class.

“Nothing the President said tonight changes the fact that corporate executives are cashing in as a result of the Trump tax scam, people with pre-existing health conditions are suffering as a result of the GOP’s sabotage of the ACA, and the vitality of our democracy and the rule of law is threatened by his relentless attacks on our democratic principles.

“President Trump loves to talk about real Americans. I brought a real American with me to tonight’s speech – Ms. Lila Johnson, a federal contract worker from Maryland whose family is suffering because she missed over a month of her wages during the shutdown and currently won’t get back pay. Instead of taking responsibility, the President blamed everybody but himself and made no commitment to prevent it in the future.

“Despite the President’s toxic rhetoric, I hear from people in Maryland and across the country calling for real, bipartisan solutions to the challenges we face at home and abroad. I stand ready to answer that call.”

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