NM delegation reacts to Obama’s speech

The U.S. Capitol building (Photo by Heath Haussamen)

Here are the statements released by members of the New Mexico delegation following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address:

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.

“I was glad the president focused the majority of his speech on the most important issue our country faces: the need to create the next generation of good-paying jobs so that we can remain competitive in the global marketplace. As the president pointed out, solving this problem will require both parties to work together. I stand ready to work with senators from both sides of the aisle to address this critical issue.

“I also liked the president’s emphasis on moving toward a ‘clean energy’ economy. Shifting our focus to homegrown, renewable energy – like wind and solar – will both stimulate job creation and reduce pollution. As chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to pass clean energy legislation.”

Bingaman also released audio remarks that you can find here.

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.

“Tonight President Obama outlined a vision for rebuilding our economy that puts hardworking Americans back to work, inspires innovation at home and ensures our country’s global competitiveness for decades to come. We must turn a corner in rebuilding America. And New Mexico stands ready to lead the way – with a strong tradition of innovation in many of the priorities outlined by the president, in particular, the development of clean energy technologies.

“I was also pleased to hear the president discuss the need for increased transparency and responsiveness in government. We must make government work better for the American people. That begins with the U.S. Senate. And that’s why, for the past year, I have led an effort to institute Senate rules reform – and why I will continue to work with my colleagues to make the Senate more open and accountable to the American people.

“Finally, any discussion of our future as a nation must include an honest assessment of our current war effort in Afghanistan. I had hoped to hear more detail from the president about whether he believes we’re on track to meet the ‘accelerated transition’ timeline he established for redeployment of our troops this summer. The bottom line is this: Our military commitment in Afghanistan must not be open-ended – both for the safety of our fighting men and women and the success of equally important domestic and national security priorities.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.

“Tonight, in his State of the Union Address, President Obama discussed jobs and the economy. I am sincerely pleased to hear him begin to take an interest in what the people have been concerned about for years. Now begins the difficult task of transforming words into reality. We need real job creation and Washington needs to get its budget under control. While I am hopeful, the challenge comes with the specific policies our country and New Mexico need. I look forward to cooperating on the good ideas, especially those that will create jobs in New Mexico.

“Mr. Obama proposed spending freezes, but it is important to remember that over the last two years, the deficit has for the first time in history surpassed $1 trillion. It has now skyrocketed to $1.4 trillion. Freezing spending at the current record-breaking levels only means we will be stuck there. It will make spending reduction impossible, and it will force us to lock in our mistakes. We must return spending to pre-2008 levels, and then continue to seek reductions.

“As I travel around New Mexico, I see the impact of our economic crisis. Unemployment in New Mexico remains high, and has been climbing since President Obama took office. When I was there last weekend, I met with many New Mexicans who find themselves unemployed. Our small-business owners are being forced to lay off workers or make painful cuts to survive. Our retirees are watching their hard-earned savings lose value, and are wondering if they will have enough. Our veterans, living on fixed incomes, are finding it harder to get by. On a regular basis, I look into the eyes of these hard-working people and see fear. Fear of financial uncertainty. Fear that they will have to close down the businesses they spent their lives building. Fear that they will be unable to support their families.

“New Mexicans are still struggling. Americans are still struggling. All they want is the freedom to work, to support their families, to pursue happiness. Tonight, I was heartened to hear the president convey his concern for those desires. I am especially encouraged by his goal of putting Americans back to work. Now, as we begin the hard work of transforming words into actions, we must remember the true needs of Americans.

“We need to be heard. We need jobs. We need liberty. And we need a government that will fight for these – that will fight for us.”

U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.

“Central New Mexico is a model for the kind of innovation and competitiveness the president spoke of tonight.

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact encouraging American innovation and entrepreneurship has on a local economy. I see it in success stories from companies like Schott Solar and SUMCO Phoenix in central New Mexico that are thriving in the expanding clean energy and high-tech manufacturing industries.

“The president was right when he said we need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. That’s happening right now in central New Mexico.

“But we have a lot of work to do. Together, we need to rebuild the public’s trust in government and continue the hard work of economic recovery. It will require practical policies and pragmatic compromise that can give our nation the vibrant economic growth and stronger middle class we have come to expect.

“My commitment remains stronger than ever to create quality jobs in central New Mexico, reduce our deficit, and work together to ‘win the future.’”

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M.

“The president’s speech this evening comes at a difficult time for many of New Mexico’s families that are struggling to get by as a result of the deepest recession in a generation. I was pleased that President Obama made it clear that job creation must continue to be our top priority, and while we need to move forward in a fiscally responsible manner that reduces our deficit, we must also invest in the areas that will spur economic growth and create jobs.

“I could not agree more with the president that in order to win the future we have to out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world. That is why I am working to create an innovation nation, one in which the United States is a leader in new technologies that can grow our economy. New Mexico, with our national labs and research universities, is well positioned to be integral in this effort. I am in the process of starting a bipartisan Technology Transfer Caucus in the House to help move this agenda forward.

“Tonight, President Obama laid out a blueprint to address the challenges facing New Mexico and our nation. I look forward to working with the president, my colleagues, and my fellow New Mexicans in the coming days and months to ensure our nation moves forward, propelled by the dreams and aspirations of all New Mexican families.”