By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, President Donald Trump delivered an upbeat State of the Union speech that was well received by conservatives.
“Tonight, President Trump made clear his commitment to the American people and to improving the quality of life for everyone. By protecting our borders, strengthening our military and creating an environment that enhances domestic economic growth, the president underlined his commitment to national security. I echo his call to further improve our economy through continued deregulation, low taxes and investment in infrastructure,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement.
“Conservative policies build a solid foundation by getting government out of the way and allowing people and businesses to work hard and achieve success,” Ivey said.
“Tonight the President highlighted his many accomplishments and outlined his plan to continue advancing and unifying our country. From signing tax reform into law and eliminating restrictive regulations to growing our military and boosting support for veterans, President Trump has prioritized a conservative agenda that promotes a safe and strong America. I look forward to his promise of rebuilding our infrastructure, which would keep our economy on the rise and provide significant opportunities to foster local economic growth,” U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said.
“The President has had a successful first year in office. I am encouraged by his stated plans to work with the Congress, delivering on our promises and further strengthening our great nation,” Shelby said.
“America’s best was on display to the world tonight in this amazing speech – the love, spirit, determination and commitment of our nation. This is America! As President Trump said, ‘The State of our Union is strong.’ God, veterans, and American heroes were celebrated this evening as the very heartbeat of our nation,’” Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said.
“What President Trump has accomplished in his first year as president is nothing short of incredible,” Lathan said. “Working with a Republican Congress, he has absolutely delivered on his campaign promises to the American people. The economy is soaring and Americans have found hope again. These improvements our nation has witnessed under President Trump are no accident. They are the direct result of conservative policies strategically implemented by this Republican administration and a conservative legislature.”
“Tonight, President Trump reminded us that because of his focused vision and plans for our nation’s future, America is, and will continue to be, a strong and proud nation,” Lathan said. “The Alabama Republican Party looks forward to working with President Trump and the Republican Congress in 2018 as we all continue to build a stronger and safer America.”
“The ‘state of our Union’ is strong. From a booming economy to greater respect around the globe, President Trump, his administration, and Congress have been able to turn our country around in a very short period of time. The good news is that things are just getting started,” Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, said.
“Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, hardworking Americans will see more money in their pockets and businesses will continue to grow,” Byrne said. “President Trump’s plan for boosting our nation’s infrastructure will also help spur economic growth and improve the quality of life for countless Americans. Rebuilding our military, standing up to rogue actors, and securing our border will help keep the American people safe and secure. Importantly, I also appreciated the President’s call for greater bipartisanship and cooperation. It is my sincere hope that Democrats will come to the table with us to make the United States of America even stronger.”
Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Selma, was somewhat more skeptical.
“The promises President Trump made tonight in his State of the Union Address are worth about as much as the promises candidate Trump made on the campaign trail: absolutely nothing,” Sewell said. “One year into this Administration, Trump has attacked Medicaid, which he promised to protect, he forced through tax cuts favoring the wealthy after promising tax relief for the middle class, and he eliminated coverage for millions of Americans after promising to expand healthcare access. President Trump is more focused on defending himself and attacking his opponents than helping the country. Alabama families need more jobs that pay better wages, and that is what I am fighting for in Congress.”
“President Trump said it right—the state of our union is strong. There is still much work to be done, and the president laid out a clear agenda tonight with an open hand toward bipartisan cooperation. By working together to rebuild our nation’s military, boost infrastructure, develop our workforce, and fix our immigration system, we can continue making America safer and stronger for the 21st century,” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said.
This was Trump’s first State of the Union address.
