WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued this statement and video following President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“Even as the president wraps up his time in office and the presidential campaign season ramps up, I am optimistic that this year can be a productive one. Congress tackled several significant accomplishments last year leaving room to take on more forward-looking issues in 2016.
“In his final State of the Union, I had hoped the president would lay out a plan to improve the bleak economic outlook in West Virginia and other states. Instead, he vowed to move forward with catastrophic regulations that threaten jobs and impede energy development while doing little to actually improve the environment. West Virginia has been crushed by the president’s policies, already shedding jobs by the thousands.
“With national security and the threat of ISIS at the forefront of Americans’ minds, the president offered little to ease these concerns. We must have a better strategy to destroy ISIS, to vet refugees coming into the country and to combat other emerging threats both at home and abroad.
“In mentioning the drug epidemic that is growing in West Virginia and across the country, the president highlighted an issue where Republicans and Democrats can work together. In the year ahead, I will continue to look for solutions to end addiction, improve access to treatment and stem this mounting public health concern.
“In his final year in office, the president should commit to working with Congress to confront the many challenges we face instead of governing by executive order. Doing so would fulfill his promise to change the way things are done in Washington.”
Watch the video below or click here to download the video file.
###