Long Island Congress members react to Donald Trump speech
Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Patty Murray of Washington state listen to the State of the Union address in the House of Representatives on Jan. 30, 2018. Credit: AFP/Getty Images / WIN MCNAMEE
Reactions of New York members of Congress to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech:
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.): “After a long and divisive year, many Americans were yearning for the President to present a unifying vision for the country. Unfortunately, his address tonight stoked the fires of division instead of bringing us closer together.”
Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley): “President Trump highlighted many important accomplishments, challenges and opportunities impacting our great nation. The President discussed how our country will rise to tackle the daunting needs we still face, such as our nation’s crumbling infrastructure, heroin and opioid abuse epidemic, broken immigration system and the essential need to always protect our security at home and abroad.”
Rep. Pete King (R-Seaford): “I thought it was an excellent speech. The highlight of MS-13 victims’ families from Long Island will focus federal attention. It has now made a horrible situation on Long Island a national issue. On policy, the best part was infrastructure and the fact that it really lends itself to bipartisanship.”
Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-Glen Cove): “I agree that we need to find a solution to our nation’s immigration crisis. That means forging a bipartisan compromise that includes a pathway to citizenship while also securing our borders.”
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans): Meeks declined to attend the speech, “for a host of reasons, chief among them is his continual and obvious disrespect for diverse communities like the one I represent. Beyond that, he has repeatedly stoked the flames of bigotry.”
Compiled by David M. Schwartz
First lady Melania Trump arrives for the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. This is the first State of the Union address given by President Donald Trump and his second joint-session address to Congress. Credit: Getty Images North America / Chip Somodevilla
David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.
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