Rep. Hank Johnson’s statement on President Obama’s State of the Union address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) today issued the following statement following President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“What we saw tonight was a positive, upbeat speech. America has a hard-earned right to that optimism thanks to the grit and determination of citizens across the country. Six years after President Obama inherited the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, our economy is growing and the nation has created more than nine million new jobs, and it’s primed to create more.

“But income inequality, flat wages and long-term unemployment continue to plague our society. Using the tax code to level the playing field for everyday working Americans so that corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share of taxes is a good first step, but we have more work to do. We must pass legislation that ensures that all hard-working Americans are able to earn a living wage to support their families, so that we all can share in our country’s resurgence.

“I look forward to working with President Obama to continue to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class, and to empower all those hoping to join the middle class. And I look forward to working with my colleagues on making college more affordable, providing paid sick leave to help working families, boosting high-tech manufacturing, addressing our broken immigration and justice systems and ensuring retirement security for all Americans.”

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