Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman Denny Rehberg issued the following statement on the President’s 2010 State of the Union Address to a Joint Session of Congress.

“ America must look forward not backward, but we also must remember the lessons of the past.  Last year, we saw reckless deficit spending with no tangible benefit to the taxpayers.  While unemployment reached double digits, government spending increased 66% - in a single year.  Clearly, we can’t spend our way into prosperity.

“Last year, I called for ‘bipartisan restraint.’  We must balance the budget by cutting spending, not raising taxes.  Without Congressional action, Americans will face the largest tax increase in our history.  It will further harm our economy and cost real jobs.  There’s never a good time to raise taxes, but I can’t think of a worse time than now.

“It’s time for Congress to abandon its pursuit of job-killing policies.  Whether it’s cap and tax legislation or a government takeover of health care we can’t continue to saddle small businesses with the burden of special interest priorities.  It’s time for a real economic stimulus that empowers small businesses and families.

“Finally, we must not turn our back to the real threat of terrorism.  Recent events have demonstrated the need to increase our national vigilance in order to protect our lives and our way of life.”