By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday night, President Barack H. Obama will deliver his sixth State of the Union address to a joint session of both houses of Congress. U.S. Congresswoman Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery said that she hopes that President Obama will focus on “commonsense” ideas to promote job growth, rather than a partisan, political agenda.
Representative Roby has prepared her own video statement in anticipation of the state of the union. The conservative Alabama Congresswoman said in her statement, “Tuesday night President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address before Congress. President Obama will reportedly use the speech to announce a “Year of Action.” There’s no question action is needed in this country, but it matters what kind of action, and in what direction it takes us.”
Rep. Roby specifically outlining several bi-partisan House-passed jobs bills that are still stuck in the Senate. Rep. Roby said, “More than 30 House-passed jobs bills currently languish in the Senate – bills that would surely pass if the President would remove his objection. These include: The REINS Act, which would stop runaway regulation by requiring Congressional approval of those that could drastically affect jobs; The Northern Route Approval Act, which would allow for the construction of the Keystone Pipeline; The SKILLS Act, which would provide much needed job training to the long term unemployed; and Numerous House bills which reduce the tax burden and healthcare costs for small businesses.”
Rep. Roby said in her written statement that recent news reports indicate President Obama intends to use the State of the Union to promote unilateral executive actions he plans to take, without the approval of Congress. Rep. Roby has continually warned about what she calls, “the egregious executive overreaches of the Obama administration and the threat they pose to the Constitutional separation of powers.”
Rep. Roby said in her statement, “He is promising more, not less, unilateral executive actions that go outside the constitutional authority of the presidency. This should concern all Americans, Republican or Democrat. Our Constitutional constraints on government may not be convenient for President Obama’s political agenda, but they are necessary for preserving our basic system of checks and balances. And the last time I checked, the government still derives its authority from the people, not the other way around.”
Rep. Roby said, “I will be listening carefully for the President to mention issues like this where we can find common ground and work together to help Americans find jobs. Unfortunately, all indications point to more of the same from President Obama. More “pie in the sky” rhetoric based in ideology rather than reality. More about politics, less about the people.” “Right now is a time for cooperation on commonsense ideas to improve the economy, not a partisan agenda driven by the President’s radical ideology. We all know President Obama is good at making promises, but not so good at following through. This time I hope he rises above that and communicates reasonable, achievable objectives, particularly when it comes to job growth.”
Congresswoman Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. The former Montgomery City Councilwoman is seeking a third term representing the Second District.
Watch video here…
