Congressman Cohen Statement on President Obama's Speech to the Joint Session

Tonight, I had the opportunity to watch President Obama’s first speech to the joint session of Congress, and I continue to be impressed with his eloquence and depth of knowledge on the issues. Our new Commander in Chief has had an eventful first month in office, punctuated by the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Eight years ago, President Bush took office amidst record budget surpluses. By the end of his second term, the federal government was running record deficits and our nation was enveloped in an economic crisis the scope of which had not been seen since the Great Depression. This is the result of a failed fiscal ideology, and it’s fallen to President Obama and the 111th Congress to clean up the mess.

One thing that President Obama made clear tonight is that inaction will not be an option for this Congress or this Administration. He signaled an end to the era of irresponsibility, and we in Congress have responded by passing a comprehensive plan to save jobs and get our economy back on track while putting us on a path to growth for generations to come.

While the economic news has been bleak in the past weeks, we all have reasons to feel optimistic. As the President said, America has been the greatest force for progress and prosperity in human history, and there is no doubt that we possess the strength to weather this storm and whatever else may lie on the horizon.

My Democratic colleagues and I in the 111th Congress have committed to supporting President Obama, and he has displayed an unprecedented willingness to bring people of opposing viewpoints and parties together in the name of progress. The opposition might not always reciprocate, but his overtures toward the minority have spoken volumes.

It is time for this country to unite and confront our challenges. It is time, as the President said, to take responsibility for our future once more.

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