Senator Murray’s Statement on President Obama’s Speech on Investing in Middle Class Growth

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a member of the Senate Democratic Leadership, released the following statement on the President’s economic address that focused on the progress we have made since the Great Depression and the work that lies ahead to invest in middle class growth and security.

“I was very glad to hear President Obama discuss his strategy and vision for an economy that puts middle class families first. When I worked to pass the Senate Budget in March, I made it clear that our highest priority is to create the conditions for job creation, economic growth, and prosperity built from the middle out, not the top down. I am going to keep working with President Obama and my colleagues in Congress to do that, and I am hopeful that Republicans will join us at the table.

“The improving economy and two years of deficit reduction have eliminated any fear of a short-term debt crisis, and I agree with President Obama that we should be working together to boost the economy, replace the across-the-board cuts from sequestration, and tackle our long-term deficit and debt challenges.  I will also continue working in Congress on several specific legislative proposals that address the cornerstone priorities the President discussed today including creating universal access to preschool, raising the minimum wage, building a dynamic and robust workforce training system, and investing in our nation’s woefully outdated transportation infrastructure.

“It is clear that the American people are sick and tired of the gridlock and dysfunction that is hurting families and threatening our economic recovery. So I join with the President in urging Republicans to stop pushing us from crisis to crisis and to work with us on a budget agreement that is fair for the middle class and gives families and small businesses the certainty they deserve. The Senate and House passed our budgets months ago, and I am hopeful that the minority of Republicans who are blocking us from starting a bipartisan budget conference will end their obstruction and let us get to work before we lurch to the next completely avoidable crisis.”