President Barack Obama’s first speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night drew mixed reactions from Mississippi’s lawmakers.
“I’m afraid that a lot of the spending programs the president is proposing – and it’s been a spending spree – will require higher taxes on small businesses.”
– Republican Sen. Roger Wicker
“While I am pleased that the president has put a balanced budget at the forefront of his economic agenda, it will be the duty of Congress to hold him to this pledge.”
– Democratic 1st District Rep. Travis Childers
“It was a good speech – straightforward, laid out all the challenges we face as a country and offered some solutions.”
– Democratic 2nd District Rep. Bennie Thompson
“Obama has a goal of reducing the deficit, but it doesn’t seem to me we’ve gotten off to a good start with the spending in the stimulus and the (bank bailout) funds.”
– Republican 3rd District Rep. Gregg Harper
Magnolia Tribune
