President Obama's Weekly Address 1/9/16: America Can Do Anything

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President remarked on the incredible progress that has been made in the American auto industry. Just seven years ago, the industry was on the brink of collapse, with plants closing and hundreds of thousands of workers getting laid off. The President made a decision in his first couple of months in office to place his bet on American workers and American manufacturing, implementing a strategy to bring the American auto industry back. Since then, Detroit-area unemployment has been cut by more than half, and automakers have added more than 640,000 new jobs. On January 20, the President will visit the Detroit Auto Show to see this progress firsthand. Because the story of the auto industry is an apt illustration of all that America has accomplished in the past seven years, and all that it can do.

President Obama's Weekly Address1/31/15: A Path Towards a Thriving Middle Class

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President described the progress our economy has made, laying a foundation for a future that prioritizes middle-class economics. This week, the President will send a budget to Congress centered on the idea that everyone who works hard should have the chance to get ahead. His plan will reverse harmful sequestration cuts and instead make paychecks go further, create good jobs here in the United States, and prepare hardworking Americans to earn higher wages. The President made the case for his Budget, and affirmed his commitment to doing everything he can to ensure more Americans can get ahead in this new economy.

Pallone Highlights President Obama’s Community College Proposal During Event At Middlesex County College

EDISON, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) hosted an event at Middlesex County College to highlight President Obama’s plan to make community college free for responsible students. Congressman Pallone was joined by Joann La Perla-Morales, President of Middlesex County College; New Jersey Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr.; Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios; and students of the college.

“I have always supported improving access to higher education, and I think President Obama’s proposal to make community college free would be a tremendous step toward making the costs of higher education more affordable,” said Pallone. “Here in New Jersey, and across the nation, community colleges offer educational opportunity to students just beginning higher education, to people already in the workforce looking to gain additional training, and for the unemployed looking to change careers. The President’s proposal could benefit them all, and countless others for whom higher education currently seems unattainable.”

The proposal, which the President discussed in his State of the Union address earlier this week, would make two years of community college as free and universal as high school, so long as students enroll in a certain number of classes, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and make progress toward completing their program.

Pallone Statement on President Obama’s State of the Union Address

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement after President Obama delivered his State of the Union address:

"Tonight, President Obama put forward his plan to ensure that Americans in the middle class, and those fighting every day to join it, are not left behind by an economy that is finally gaining steam. With policy proposals designed to fight stagnant wages and make the costs of higher education more affordable, the President has committed his final two years in office to leveling the playing field for hardworking Americans who are trying to get ahead.

“Most of the President’s plan will require Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together, as the failure to do so will result in greater economic inequality and a less vibrant middle class. For far too long Republicans have chosen not to act on issues that would provide Americans with greater economic mobility and security, and President Obama sent a clear message tonight that the American people will no longer tolerate continued inaction. Instead, we must come together to find real solutions to the challenges that ordinary Americans are facing in order to set our country on a path toward greater economic prosperity for everyone.

“I look forward to working with all of my colleagues here in Congress to achieve the goals the President laid out this evening.”

NJDSC Chairman Currie On President Obama's State of the Union

(Trenton) — Today, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee John Currie reacted to President Obama's State of the Union address with the following statement:

"Tonight, in his State of the Union address, President Obama embraced what Martin Luther King Jr. called the fierce urgency of now — pointing out that middle class families are desperate for policies that extend equal opportunity for all, not just the wealthy.

"The president offered a clear vision for a country on the rise, and it was a stark contrast from the backwards thinking of the Republicans. The Republicans’ trickle down economics have been tried — they do not work. It is time to level the playing field for middle class families."

"In particular, I thought the president’s desire to extend sick leave to working families strongly contrasted with the comments of our failed, absentee governor who insulted municipalities that extended paid sick leave at the local level. And while our governor concerns himself with the anxieties of Iowans, the president successfully calmed the nerves of the nation."

"I was also proud that President Obama showed his resilience in the face of international terrorism, and outlined a package of reforms to raise the minimum wage, and make the tax code fairer and college education affordable. These are the type of measures New Jersey families want their representatives to promote — not more efforts to undermine health care coverage and repeal patient protections."

"Well done, Mr. President."

President Obama's Weekly Address 1/17/14: State of the Union Is This Tuesday

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President recounted the stories of letter writers from around the country who will be joining him when he delivers his annual State of the Union Address this Tuesday: Carolyn, who was able to expand her small business through a Small Business Administration loan, and this year raised wages for their hourly employees; Jason, a wounded warrior who served in Afghanistan and is now back home with his wife and first daughter, born in November; and Victor, who affords his student loans with help from the Income Based Repayment Plan, and has health insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. Stories like theirs are proof of the progress our country has made. The President encouraged everyone to tune in Tuesday evening to hear more about America’s comeback, and the steps we can take to ensure all Americans – not just a fortunate few – benefit from our American resurgence.

President Obama's Weekly Address 1/10/15: America’s Resurgence Is Real

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, President Obama discussed the economic gains we made in 2014, which was the strongest year for job growth since the 1990s. In the coming weeks, the President will continue to preview his State of the Union Address and the agenda he’ll put forward to build on that progress. The President will showcase ways he’s working to help every American get ahead in the new year, like plans he announced this week to make community college free for two years, make mortgages more affordable and accessible for creditworthy families, and support manufacturing.

Newsletter: "203"

The following is from Congressman Rush Holt's newsletter:

At the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, I was joined by Mark Wetherbee – a two-tour Vietnam veteran, a Ewing community leader, and one of the multitude of New Jerseyans struggling with unemployment.

Mark, who volunteers for the Ewing Township Green Team, the Kiwanis, and HomeFront in his free time, was laid off in October from his job as a property and facilities manager.  Since then, he has sent out 203 resumes.  He has had one interview.

The fact that someone as qualified and hardworking as Mark can’t find work speaks volumes about the need to extend long-term unemployment insurance, a program that Republicans canceled at the end of last year.

I invited Mark to attend the State of the Union this week, not because he is unique, but because he isn’t.  When the unemployment insurance extension expired in December, 90,000 New Jerseyans were immediately kicked off the program.  To put that in perspective, that’s enough people to fill every seat at this weekend’s Super Bowl – with another 7,500 people attending a job fair on the football field.  Another 90,000 New Jerseyans will lose their unemployment insurance prematurely in the months ahead.  Mark Wetherbee could, unfortunately, be one of them.

As the President said in his address, “They need our help, but more important, this country needs them in the game.”

Upcoming Town Halls in East Windsor and Milltown

On Saturday, February 15, I’ll be hosting town hall meetings in East Windsor and Milltown.  I hope you’ll attend to share your views and hear updates on issues affecting the community.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

10:00 a.m.
East Windsor Senior Center
40 Lanning Boulevard
East Windsor, New Jersey
1:00 p.m.
Milltown Borough Hall
39 Washington Avenue
Milltown, New Jersey

The C.I.A. Should Be an Intelligence Agency

This week the New York Times reported the concern of intelligence agencies that, as the Afghanistan war winds down, they will lose the bases from which to launch drone rocket strikes.

The Central Intelligence Agency should not be launching deadly military strikes. We would be better off if the C.I.A. returned to being an agency that collected and analyzed intelligence and stopped being a secretive paramilitary organization.

With rare exceptions, if America cannot justify military action publicly, we should not be taking military action.

Sincerely,

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

President Obama's Weekly Address 2/1/14: Restoring Opportunity for All

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, the President discussed the goals he laid out in the State of the Union address to expand opportunity for all so that every American can get ahead and have a shot at creating a better life for their kids.

President Obama's Weekly Address 2/16/12: Following the President’s Plan for a Strong Middle Class

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama called for quick action on the proposals he made during the State of the Union to grow our economy and create jobs, including making America a magnet for manufacturing, strengthening our education system through high-quality preschool for every child, and raising the minimum wage. Congress must also act now to avert the sequester, which would be a harmful and self-inflicted wound on our economy, by reducing our deficit in a balanced way that makes investments in areas that help us grow and cuts what we don’t need.

Pallone Statement on Obama State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement in reaction to President Obama’s State of the Union Address to Congress:

“President Obama offered a strong agenda to addressing some of our nation’s most challenging problems. I was encouraged to hear his emphasis on creating jobs, rebuilding our economy and working together to stem violence in our culture.

“The president’s jobs agenda must be acted on by this Congress. As the president noted, manufacturing has been a bright spot for our nation’s economy and we should continue to take steps to encourage American businesses to make their products here in America. Manufacturing can continue to be a driver of our economy and we should work together to foster growth.

“I was also pleased to hear President Obama make a commitment to working to reform our energy future and address climate change. He rightly noted that weather events like Superstorm Sandy, which devastated so much of Jersey Shore, are a frightening indication of the power of climate change and why we can and must take action while we can still make a positive impact. I agree with the president’s position that we must take steps to expedite the transition to alternative energy, which will be good for our planet and our economy.

“As the president said, energy is ‘just one part of an aging infrastructure’ that needs to be addressed. I was excited to hear the president talk about his ‘Fix it First’ and ‘Partnership to Rebuild’ plans. These could be positive steps that could create jobs while rebuilding our nation.

“The most important thing we can do for the future of our nation is to provide the best education in the world to our children and I was interested to hear President Obama’s proposals on improving our education system. We need to create new opportunities for our children to continue to be competitive in the global economy.

“President Obama also touched on the challenging issue of immigration reform and the need to address poverty in the wealthiest nation on Earth by calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage. We need to improve wages in the United States so that we working families can gain access to the middle class.

“Along with improved wages, must come equality and fairness when it comes to earning, which is why equal pay for equal work continues to be critical for improving our economy. Women must earn the same wages as men for the same work and not have to worry about discrimination in the work place. I was also encouraged to hear the president call to the Violence Against Women Act that passed in the Senate today and I look forward to voting for in the House.

“President Obama’s commitment to continuing to ensure our nation’s security while working to finish our job in Afghanistan will also be critical to strengthening the country. He noted that we face a different set of challenges now, so it is time to consider reducing nuclear weapon stockpiles while improving our security against cyber threats.

“The President also touched on critical issues like equality and improving voting rights. I agree that we can and must find solutions to these pressing issues in the 113th Congress.

“Finally, I stand with President Obama and plan to work with him to prevent gun violence in our nation. We cannot lose more innocent lives to gun violence in this country and we need to work together to find develop a plan that protects all Americans.

“President Obama’s State of the Union address set out bold plans for his presidency and the 113th Congress. Many of the president’s initiatives can be achieve with a bipartisan approach. Democrats and Republicans must work together to achieve these common goals and I look forward to addressing our nation’s challenges head on with my colleagues in Congress.”

President Obama's Weekly 1/28/12: President’s Blueprint Includes Renewal of American Values

WASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama discusses the blueprint he put forward this week in the State of the Union Address for creating an economy built to last. After focusing on American manufacturing, American energy, and skills for American workers during each of the last three days, he used his weekly address to highlight his commitment to a renewal of American values. The President is challenging leaders in Washington, DC to follow the model set by our men and women in the military, end the gridlock and start tackling the issues that matter – without regard for personal ambition.

President Obama's Weekly Address 1/21/12: America is Open for Business

WASHINGTON, DC— In this week’s address, President Obama told the American people about steps his Administration is taking to make it easier for travelers to visit the United States, because increasing tourism will help local economies and support businesses looking to expand and hire. This plan to boost tourism is part of a series of actions the President has taken without Congress, because we can’t wait any longer to take the steps we need to help grow the economy and create jobs. President Obama also said that in next week’s State of the Union Address, he will outline his blueprint for how our elected leaders and all Americans can work together to create an economy that is built to last.