Schneider Statement on State of the Union Address

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) released the below statement after President Trump's State of the Union Address:

"Ultimately, I will judge the President not by his words tonight, but by his actions tomorrow and in the months ahead.

"The President touched on many issues tonight, some of which I support like investing in infrastructure, and others that I strongly disagree with, such as ending family reunification. What is clear is that we face serious challenges – from creating economic opportunity for all Americans and educating the next generation to controlling our ballooning national debt and preserving America's place in the world. For each of these problems, we will be more effective and successful as a nation if we find ways to work together to resolve them.

"Last year, we saw President Trump and Republican leadership decide to go it alone without bipartisan input on both tax and health care reform, and the resulting legislation suffered severely for it. To have any hope of clearing Congress's long to-do list for 2018, including investing in infrastructure, funding the fight against the opioid crisis, protecting DREAMers and other critical priorities, we must work together in a bipartisan way. I remain willing to work across the aisle with anyone, including President Trump, to achieve these goals.

"In his first year in office, President Trump has also created his own crises, both through short-sighted decisions such as rescinding DACA and withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, and through a disrespect for the responsibilities of the office he occupies, including his comments about immigrants, attacks on a free press, and bellicose handling of potential conflict with North Korea. I hope in the year ahead he proves more willing to put the national interest first. Where he falls short, I will continue to hold him and his Administration accountable."