Menendez Statement on President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statement in reaction to President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address:

“Tonight, President Obama put middle class economics front and center – exactly where it belongs.

“While we have come a long way since the worst recession in our memory and are seeing our economy gain momentum, too many hard working families in my home state are still waiting to feel the benefits. For far too long, middle class families have been squeezed, losing income and purchasing power even as productivity and corporate profits skyrocket. GDP, the unemployment rate, the stock market, and other broad economic indicators continue to improve, but that won’t be enough unless the middle-class gets a raise too and working families feel secure in knowing they have a fair shot to get ahead.

“Tonight, the President laid out a bold vision to build on the progress we’ve made to grow our economy, expand opportunity and make sure the American resurgence doesn’t just benefit the select few, but all Americans. The plan invests in middle class working families – providing robust tax relief, making college more accessible and affordable, rewarding work and helping workers save for retirement. And it does so responsibly, by eliminating some of the biggest tax loopholes, making sure everyone pays their fair share.

“I particularly applaud the President’s proposals to incentivize job training partnerships between colleges and businesses and repeal the tax burden on forgiven student debt. As a member of the Finance Committee, I look forward to reintroducing my legislation to address both of these issues in order to give the middle class the fighting shot it deserves.

“New Jerseyans have made clear they want Washington to put aside partisan differences and get to work on the issues that have a real impact on their lives. They want Washington to focus on creating the tools working families need to succeed and share in the American Dream. That’s what I intend to do. I hope my Republican colleagues join me.”

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