SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's congressional delegation responded to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address with strong and immediate criticism.
In remarks prior to the speech, social media posts during the address and responses issued afterward, Utah's all-Republican representation accused the president of divisive politics and unrealistic tax proposals.
Orrin Hatch
In an extensive release following the address, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said the president's speech failed to present the aggressive jobs agenda the nation needs.
"From overreaching regulations to higher taxes that fuel more government spending to premature veto threats and a refusal to enforce laws he doesn't agree with, President Obama's unilateralism and refusal to set politics aside further demonstrates his unwillingness to work together and reach lasting solutions for the American people," Hatch said.
The proposed tax initiatives would further clutter an already complicated tax code, said Hatch, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
In a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning, Hatch said Obama's plans to raise taxes would have costly consequences.
"The tax hike he's proposing would be particularly damaging, undoing tax policies that have been successful in helping expand the economy, promote savings and create jobs," he said.
Hatch, whose top priority for the 114th Congress is to reform the nation's broken tax code, said the president may be using language associated with tax reform, but his goals are not aligned with several principles the longstanding senator sees as key to reform.
Hatch also outlined his response to the president's remarks on trade, health care, Social Security, building a strong middle class, immigration, national security, technology and cybersecurity, education, and energy.
Mike Lee
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said in a video response issued Tuesday night that he appreciated the president's acknowledgement the middle class is being "squeezed."
"But unfortunately, he has chosen to double down on the failed policies that have prevented so many Utahns and hardworking Americans from getting ahead in the first place," Lee said.
Obama's proposals are not viable, he said, because the president is not serious about getting them through Congress.
"For him, it's all 2016 partisan politics now, and Republicans shouldn't waste time debating the merits of political talking points," Lee said. "Instead, Republicans must take advantage of the opportunity the American people have given us."
Lee talked about developing and proposing "real solutions" to address the growing opportunity deficit. He suggested anti-poverty initiatives, tax reforms that work for working families, innovative new models for higher education and other solutions to create jobs and improve the economy.
"So as the president tries to divide Americans and distract them from the failures of his administration, we shouldn't take the bait," he said. "Instead, Republicans are going to move forward on a positive agenda."
Mia Love
In interviews following the the president's speech and on Twitter, Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, scoffed at Obama's proposals for supposedly free education.
"He just kept saying, 'It's going to be free.' Nothing is free. Someone is going to have to pay for it," Love said. "I think we would be better off doing what we can to bring the cost of education down with free-market solutions than have someone else pay for it."
Love, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, criticized the president for not addressing national debt levels and called proposed tax increases disheartening.
"When you raise taxes, someone ends up paying for those, and usually it's the people they vow to protect," she said. "Usually it's the poor and the most vulnerable among us who end up losing their jobs because someone has a higher burden to pay."
During an interview with KSL Newsradio's Doug Wright on Tuesday morning, Love said she hoped to hear President Obama address and make good on his promise to work with Congress.
"The first two weeks I couldn't believe how many bills we actually pushed through," she said. "What I'm hoping is the president makes good on his promise, works with Congress, and signs the bills that are being put on his desk. Then we'll be able to see who's actually creating gridlock and who isn't."
On the issue of immigration reform, Love said she hopes to help immigrants become Americans.
"That's the difference (between me and the president)," she said. "I want to be able to go in and instead of putting a Band-Aid on the issue, actually fix immigration policy and create an area where people can be able to come in and become U.S. citizens."
Chris Stewart
In a video response Tuesday, Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, suggested President Obama was trying to goad Republicans with "messages and things we don't agree with."
In a written statement, Stewart said Obama "missed an opportunity tonight," proposing tax reforms that neither simplify nor reduce taxes.
"Rather than come to Congress with realistic proposals about how to restore American leadership in the world and increase domestic economic growth, Mr. Obama delivered another speech filled with proposals that ask for higher taxes and a bigger government," he said. "Seven times he has come to report on the State of the Union, and seven times he has asked for higher taxes."
Stewart, a new member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said he doesn't believe Obama gave enough attention to national security in the speech.
"In a very dangerous and uncertain world, he spent very little time talking about that most important issue of national security," he said.
Rob Bishop
Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, said in a statement Tuesday the president's proposals won't pass Congress, highlighting taxes, education and national security.
"President Obama's community college plan sounds nice but in reality is expensive, unworkable and, if implemented, would represent a major shift of education power back to Washington. The critical thing that education needs to succeed is freedom — freedom to be creative and responsive to local needs," Bishop said.
He called Obama's tax reform recommendations "a naive approach" that would benefit some Americans while harming others.
Like Stewart, Bishop, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said he had hoped to hear recommendations for strengthening the nation's military.
Jason Chaffetz
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, called the president's speech "hyper-partisan and divisive."
"He's asking for a $300 billion tax increase," he said. "That's just not going to happen. We're not just one good tax increase away from prosperity in this nation."
Chaffetz, chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, said the president has failed to unite the country against terrorist threats.
"The nation should be united in our global fight against terrorism, but the president hasn't delivered on that," he said. "The president seems to think we are winning the war on terror, and there are those of us that would beg to differ."
Moving forward, Chaffetz said he remains committed to advancing the economy, limiting the size and scope of government, and protecting the nation — "with or without the speech."
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