Olson, Stockman and Brady not thrilled with what they heard
President Barack Obama raised a lot of eyebrows with his State of the Union address last night. The speech covered many topics, from gun laws to raising the minimum wage.
The President called on Congress to vote soon on tougher gun laws, but Sugar Land area Congressman Pete Olson told KTRH that the President missed the target on the issue.
“He didn’t talk about the problems. People are getting access to guns who shouldn’t be having guns. We have to address the mental health issue before we do anything about gun control,” Olson explained.
The President also called on lawmakers to raise the minimum wage, which is currently at $7.25 an hour. President Obama wants to see that go up to nine dollars per hour.
Newly elected Congressman Steve Stockman told KTRH that’s not a good idea, and will hurt the economy more than help.
“Raising the minimum wage is going to kill more jobs. This will keep more people out of the job market,” Stockman explained.
Woodlands Congressman Kevin Brady felt the message that the President tried to send to the country did not make it through to many of the people he targeted. Brady says Obama didn’t address what people are really concerned about.
“People who can’t find a job had to be wondering why guns, global warming and immigration are a higher priority than getting people back to work,” Brady told Matt Patrick on Houston’s Morning News.
Overall, the lawmakers felt Obama made a good speech, but they wonder how much action will actually be taken to back up the President’s strong words.
“The President can work a teleprompter like no one before. Some of the words he said were very good. But the devil is in the details,” Olson explained.
Ultimately, Olson said what he heard last night was no different than anything he has heard from the President before.
“The undertone I heard was more spending, more taxes, more regulations, more executive orders and less growth,” Olson stated.
Stockman put it this way when asked to sum up the speech.
“Once again it’s lip service over substance,” Stockman stated.
Hear the podcast with Matt Patrick and Houston's Morning News as he talks with Brady:
See the State Of the Union Address here.
