Rep. Young's Reaction to President Clinton's State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C.,
Jan 19, 1999 -
Let's continue our commitment to ensuring a bright future for all Americans
Alaska Congressman Don Young tonight expressed his support for ensuring that America's future is focused on strengthening peoples lives. The President's address highlighted some of the same issues we are concerned about education, taxes, defense and social security.
"The Congress will be taking the lead in efforts to improve education, providing for the nation's defense and ensuring that families receive tax relief in order to foster the dreams of themselves and their families. I believe we need to continue our commitment towards ensuring a bright future for all Americans," said Rep. Young.
Young addressed the fact that President Clinton called for reform of the Social Security system without offering any specific proposal.
"The Speaker has reserved H.R. 1, to be held specifically for the President's legislation on Social Security in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that social security is preserved and protected," said Young.
The President seemed to rely on creating large and bureaucratic federal programs as the only solution to the problems facing our nation. To date, the President has proposed more than $37.05 billion in new tax and spending initiatives. "We need to ensure that these federal dollars are being spent in an effective and efficient manner. We cannot support efforts to increase regulations, unfunded mandates, or duplicative bureaucratic programs," said Congressman Don Young.
"I'm pleased to see that President Clinton has embraced numerous provisions of our legislation in his proposed Lands Legacy Initiative. Last year, our bipartisan group of House and Senate members proposed the largest conservation package in a generation to protect America's land and water resources in the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1998.
"While the President seemed to be advocating a middle of the road approach to issues facing Americans, I'm concerned that the President's policy initiatives will concentrate on more government, rather than giving the money and power back to states, localities and families," said Young.
