Schneider Statement Ahead of State of the Union Address

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement:

"President Trump should use tonight's speech to lay out ideas that can bring people together to make real progress for our nation rather than stoking partisan divisions.

"Bipartisanship is the only way to create lasting change in our divided government. I hope the President will choose to focus on areas where we can find common ground, including rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, stabilizing our health care markets, and addressing the opioid crisis.

"At the same time, I am looking for the President to empower rather than undercut the bipartisan group working to fund our government and prevent another damaging shutdown. It is critical that we craft a solution that both secures our border and reforms our immigration system, and that we do so without again threatening the livelihoods of thousands of working families. Fear mongering about an exaggerated crisis at the border only makes their work more difficult.

"Most importantly, tonight's words only matter if followed up by action tomorrow and in the months ahead, and that is ultimately what I will be looking for."