Local, state leaders react to SOTU address

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Elected representatives and political leaders from around Indiana have responded to President Obama's State of the Union address.

Indiana Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-3rd):

Over the past four years, President Obama has championed more government and less freedom. We’ve seen the result. Washington’s cycle of payouts, deficit spending, and tax hikes have put our country $16 trillion in debt and our men and women in uniform face devastating cuts to our national defense in just a few weeks.

Instead of proposing solutions to tackle our nation’s problems, the president continues his drive to increase dependency on the federal government. His agenda, from raising taxes to universal health care to restricting the right to keep and bear arms expands Washington at the expense of Hoosiers.

Unfortunately, there was no indication tonight that the President is willing to change course.

Americans can ill afford the same failed policies of borrowing, spending and bailouts of the past six years. Our nation’s strength isn’t found in Washington. It’s found in the common sense, values, and freedoms that Americans live out each day. Washington could learn by watching how we balance budgets in Indiana. House Republicans are ready to work toward real solutions that empower families, unleash the creativity of entrepreneurs, and save the American dream for generations to come.

Indiana Republican Party State Chairman Eric Holcomb:

"The contrast before the American people tonight is clear: Republicans have offered, and passed, plans to reduce our deficits and grow our economy while President Barack Obama and Washington Democrats have sat on their hands, refusing to even pass a budget in the Senate for over three years.

"Our own Senator Dan Coats has been on the floor of the upper chamber nearly every day this year calling on his colleagues, and the president, to get serious about deficit and debt reduction.

"Instead of heeding some common sense from the Heartland, we are about to witness a second term the same as the first - a president who is not serious about deficit and debt reduction and would rather prop himself up with rhetorical gimmicks.

"By ignoring the record debt amassed on his watch and simple math, President Obama is making it clear he has no intention but to perpetuate our spending problem in Washington.

"Tonight, sadly, we are left with more questions than answers."

Senator Dan Coats (R-IN):

“While I am pleased President Obama finally has turned his focus back to the ongoing jobs crisis, I am disappointed that he continues to call for higher taxes to pay for more spending. We have heard many of these words before, the real test will be to see if the president finally will lead and act on pro-growth policies.

“This is certainly not the ‘balanced’ approach the president has been promising the American people. If the president was as committed to reducing the debt and growing the economy as he is to spending and taxing, our country would be in a much stronger position today. President Obama and Congress must do more to reduce the nearly $16.5 trillion debt, $6 trillion of which was added under this administration alone.

“President Obama also mentioned he is willing to restructure programs like Medicare. He has made this commitment before, but we have yet to see action. I hope this time will be different, and the president will offer a specific plan. Hard-working Hoosiers and millions of Americans have spent a lifetime paying into our health and retirement security programs. If we don't take steps to restructure and save these programs, we will lose the ability to provide benefits for current and future recipients.

“The president must lead on these critical issues and work with Congress to enact real spending reforms. The best investment we can make in America’s future is to restore our fiscal health by removing the burden of excessive debt and taxation hindering opportunity and economic growth.”