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Palmer Applauds President's Call for Unity in State of the Union Address

February 6, 2019

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921

Palmer Applauds President's Call for Unity in State of the Union Address

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) released the following statement after attending President Trump's State of the Union Address.

"The President's theme tonight of choosing greatness was what I think the nation needed to hear," Palmer said. "He made it clear that we have a choice—we can choose to continue to pursue agendas that will weaken us, or we can choose an agenda that will unite us and ensure a bright and secure future for America."

"A strong economy, a strong value for life at all stages, and strong border security are all things that should unite us," Palmer continued. "We are certainly better off now than we were two years ago. Under this Administration, businesses have expanded, burdensome regulations have been eliminated, people are taking home bigger paychecks, and many businesses that had left the U.S. have returned. President Trump noted tonight: ‘The U.S. economy is growing almost twice as fast as when I took office, and we are considered by far and away the hottest economy in the world…More people are working now than ever before in our history – 157 million people at work.'"

"In terms of jobs, the economy, our relations with other nations, and our standing the world, the State of the Union is, as President Trump said, "strong." But the President also made it clear that the greatest threat to the Union is the bitter partisan politics that divide us. He was right to challenge Democrats and Republicans to come together to ‘govern not as two parties, but as one nation.'"

"By cooperating together, we will surely preserve our country for future generations," Palmer stated. "I was glad to hear President Trump express value for those future generations by upholding the sanctity of life tonight. Recognition of the dignity of life at all stages and protection of the right to life are inherent to our nation's ideals. We must continue defending this most basic right if we are to flourish as a country."

"We also must defend our country where it is vulnerable to outside harm. For many weeks now, the need for strong border security has been apparent. Between the gang violence, human trafficking, and illegal drug trading, there is undoubtedly a crisis at the southern border. President Trump has now provided a window of opportunity for Congress to fund all of its agencies while also ensuring a secure border. In years past, there has been bipartisan support for border security that includes a physical barrier."

Palmer concluded, "I hope my Democratic colleagues will heed President Trump's words tonight and return to this bipartisan approach that he has encouraged. He summed it up well tonight when he said, ‘Together, we can break decades of political stalemate. We can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America's future. The decision is ours to make.'"

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