WASHINGTON, DC – Following President Bush’s last State of the Union address,
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Budget, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, Small Business and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement:

“Like most Americans, I have serious concerns about our country. I was encouraged to hear the President speak at such length about how we might jumpstart our economy and restore the confidence of the middle class. We need to act quickly to find solutions to important problems we face. I would have liked the President to have shown the same urgency and bipartisanship he did in working with Congress on the stimulus package in dealing with the housing crisis, energy independence and affordable health care.”

Senator Cardin expressed surprise that in the State of the Union Address the President touted the United States’ leadership in the international community in reversing greenhouse gas emissions.  “Yet, just last week his Administration blocked Maryland’s attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in vehicles.

“Clearly Congress cannot wait for a change in leadership in the White House to tackle the systemic changes necessary to restore American’s confidence in our economy, strengthen the middle class, and put our country back on track.”

Senator Cardin also expressed disappointment that President Bush missed an opportunity in his address to change our policy in Iraq and remove American combat troops from the midst of a civil war.