Colorado lawmakers respond to State of the Union

Colorado lawmakers are responding to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union Address.

Below are the responses, both text and video, that had been emailed to KRDO NewsChannel 13 as of 8:50 p.m. Tuesday.

Scott Tipton (R)

“President Obama gave a damage control speech tonight . Americans are fed up with seven years of the President’s go it alone overreach that disregards the Constitution and excludes any ideas that aren’t his own.

Ask the American people if they are better off than they were seven years ago when the President took office. Is the economy stronger, has access to affordable and high quality healthcare improved, and are we safer from domestic and foreign security threats? The answer to these questions is a resounding no. This is the unfortunate result of a divisive Presidency and failure of leadership. It’s time to move the country forward with fresh ideas that restore the opportunity of the American Dream.

The people’s elected representatives in the House and Senate are working to empower Main Street, not Washington. To do that, in the coming months we will return to regular order, something the President has stood in the way of for too long.. For the first time in years the House will pass all 12 appropriations bills, presenting a critical opportunity to reform spending and to repeal and defund this Administration’s overreaching rules and regulations. We will be passing legislation to put Americans back in control of their futures, restore the opportunity to earn a good paycheck, access affordable healthcare that works for them, and know that their country is safe.

We have many challenges ahead, but we have just as many opportunities. We are working to right the course and undo seven years of misguided and failed policies that have set our country back. This is the land of opportunity, it’s time to make that true once more.”

Michael Bennett (D)

“The United States has made great progress in our recovery from the worst recession since the Great Depression and Colorado has outpaced the rest of the country. Business leaders like Ronna Rice of Rice’s Lucky Clover Honey in Greeley represent the best of our entrepreneurial and can-do spirit. Those traits will allow us to continue to lead the nation and grow our economy so we can improve the lives of many working families who are still struggling.

“We must also keep Americans safe. That means moving aggressively to defeat ISIS, continuing to hold Iran accountable, and deterring North Korea from further hostilities.”

Ronna Rice, CEO of Rice’s Lucky Clover Honey in Greeley, was invited to attend the State of the Union with First Lady Michelle Obama as a representative of small businesses.

Cory Gardner (R) and Doug Lamborn (R)