LIHU‘E — President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union Address to both houses of Congress was met with support from Hawai‘i’s Democratic federal representatives. Mazie Hirono “I like the president’s clear focus on jobs, the middle class and improving
LIHU‘E — President Barack Obama’s first State of the Union Address to both houses of Congress was met with support from Hawai‘i’s Democratic federal representatives.
Mazie Hirono
“I like the president’s clear focus on jobs, the middle class and improving the economy,” U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono said in a phone interview following Obama’s address Wednesday evening. “We will continue to work very hard to pass the kind of legislation that will truly help create jobs for the middle class and help small businesses.”
Hirono said the U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a jobs bill, but that there will be a continuing focus on jobs as the bill is “part of a much larger commitment to job creation. It’s much more than one bill.”
Hirono said the House has already done its share of the work on other significant legislation, including financial reform and energy and climate legislation — and said the president turned his gaze toward the U.S. Senate, which has been slow to act on some of the “concrete” issues.
“I hope that the Senate will democratize their procedures … so that we can get more of the people’s work done,” Hirono said. “Since when is 60 votes the majority? … The gridlock in the Senate and the kind of frustration really does shine the spotlight on how they do things.”
Daniel Akaka
“I agree with President Obama that we must create private sector jobs through investments in small businesses, clean renewable energy, and road and rail projects, because better jobs mean more security for working families,” U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka said in a press release.
“I share the president’s commitment to reforming our health care system and expanding access to quality health care. His proposed investments in education will lead to a more globally competitive workforce and greater economic prosperity,” Akaka said.
“President Obama inherited many challenges, including two wars, threats of terrorism, and an economic crisis. He has made tough decisions to set our country on the right track,” he said.
“Troops are coming home from Iraq, and our economy is beginning to recover. We have made progress but there is more to do. I look forward to working with him on it.”
• Michael Levine, assistant news editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mlevine@kauaipubco.com.
