Lawmakers Praise Trump’s Joint Address, Call It a ‘Home Run’
Rachel del Guidice /
After President Donald Trump gave his first joint address to Congress Tuesday night, numerous lawmakers voiced support for Trump’s tone and agenda.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said Trump’s message was “critical” to Americans and noted Trump’s “strong” message on Obamacare.
“I was pleased to hear President Trump address many issues critical to everyday Americans, such as job creation, tax reform, national security, supporting our military and veterans, and improving addiction treatment services,” Scott said in a statement, adding:
The president made a strong call for the principles that will guide the replacement of Obamacare. I look forward to passing legislation that repeals Obamacare and builds a sustainable system for all American families.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., called the address a “home run.”
“That was a home run,” Ryan said. “President Trump delivered a bold, optimistic message to the American people.”
Ryan also said that Congress and the White House are on the same page in their stance on Obamacare.
“Obamacare is one of the biggest challenges that the American people face,” Ryan said. “Congress and the White House are united in our promise to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered system.”
That was a home run. Here is my statement on @POTUS #JointAddress to Congress: https://t.co/JXwyBq1aHx pic.twitter.com/sDYHBmAbHo
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) March 1, 2017
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also reaffirmed his support for the full repeal of Obamacare.
“The vast majority of people in the country have been hurt by Obamacare,” Cruz said Tuesday morning in an interview with MSNBC and tweeted his support for full repeal of Obamacare during the joint address.
We should honor the promise we made to the American People — #FullRepeal of Obamacare. #Jointsession
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 1, 2017
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voiced support for Trump’s message to coal miners.
As @realDonaldTrump just said in #JointAddress, we have already taken taken action to help Kentucky coal miners. https://t.co/MCrdZdTx1v
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 1, 2017
“We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job-crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every government agency; imposing a new rule which mandates that for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated; and stopping a regulation that threatens the future and livelihoods of our great coal miners,” Trump said in the address.
In February, Trump signed legislation that removed regulations on coal mining provisions.
Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., who also serves as chairman of the House Budget Committee, said she is excited to see Trump putting actions behind his words.
.@realDonaldTrump's words tonight were encouraging – and already, he is matching those words with meaningful action. #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/rcK47TvjZb
— Diane Black (@RepDianeBlack) March 1, 2017
Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., said he supports Trump’s agenda for the military.
https://twitter.com/RepDaveBrat/status/836785195659427840
“I support the president’s efforts to rebuild our military and protect our communities,” Brat said. “As Congress considers spending levels, the firewall between defense and discretionary spending must be torn down. I believe our men and women in uniform must have the capabilities to defend our country against current and future threats.”
Trump told Congress Tuesday night that “ … to keep America safe we must provide the men and women of the United States military with the tools they need to prevent war and—if they must—to fight and to win.”
Freshman Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said he appreciated Trump’s message of unity.
My statement on the President's speech https://t.co/fFLx14hn9k #NE02
— Rep. Don Bacon ???????? (@RepDonBacon) March 1, 2017
“I applaud the president for his bold vision and for his message of national unity,” Bacon said. “I also look forward to working with this administration, and with congressional colleagues on both side of the aisle to renew our belief in America’s spirit so that we can guarantee our future generations the same opportunities that have been the hallmark of American greatness for over two centuries.”
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Trump’s address showcased his commitment to the American people.
“We have a fundamental task,” Jordan tweeted. “Do what the voters sent us here [to] do.”
We have a fundamental task: Do what the voters sent us here 2 do. President Trump understands that, and it’s time 4 all of us 2 get 2 work.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) March 1, 2017
Democrats also commented on the speech.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., praised Trump’s tone and said the president’s message was timely, Breitbart News reported.
“I loved the presidential tone,” Manchin said. “The tone was good. It was exactly what we needed to hear.”
Following the address, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called for recognition of “undocumented immigrants.”
“We must recognize our undocumented immigrants deserve the dignity of a pathway to citizenship,” Pelosi said.
We must recognize our undocumented immigrants deserve the dignity of a pathway to citizenship. #JointSession
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 1, 2017