Politics & Government

Rep. Napolitano Approves of President's Address

Rep. Grace Napolitano thought the State of the Union overall was strong. Tell us what you think of the presidents speech.

By Khari Johnson and Patch Staff

President Obama's State of the Union address was direct and, overall, what Congresswoman Grace Napolitano thought well done.

"He did talk about climate change and gun control," Napolitano said. "These are issues I've addressed as well."

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She did note the president did not address immigration reform as much as most would have wanted.

Napolitano (D-El Monte) also echoed the president's call for cooperation in a Congress that has stalled several bills and attempts to reform. She also agreed with the president's call to restore the unemployment insurance the Congress let expire recently. Instead of taking it from those who need it, go after the fraudsters, she said.

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A detailed response from Rep. Napolitano can be found on her site.

During his speech, the president called for an increase in minimum wage and for business owners to "give America a raise" at his fifth State of the Union address Tuesday.

A new $10.10 minimum wage was implemented for federal contractors before the speech. 

"Because if you cook our troops meals or wash their dishes you should not have to live in poverty," he said. 

The same standard should be adopted nationwide, the president said. 

He also pushed for equal pay for women and a more progressive workplace, saying "She deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job" and "It's time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a Mad Men episode."

Obama called on Congress to pass immigration reform by the end of the year.

"It's time," Obama said.

Surveillance reform was also also championed because the privacy of ordinary people shouldn't be violated, he said.

Obama said he will veto any attempt to implement new sanctions against Iran because doing so would derail negotiations with Iran.

"For the sake of our national security we must give diplomacy the chance to succeed," he said. 

Talking about terrorism, Obama said America will “fight the battles that need to be fought" to combat terrorism, but the nation “must move off a permanent war footing.”

The United States of America should not "allow our sons and daughters to be mired in open-ended conflicts," he said.

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