WASHINGTON—Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James responds to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address:
“The state of our union has never been better. President Trump delivered an optimistic vision for America—one that celebrates freedom, builds on our economic prosperity, and defends our cherished principles. From protecting our homeland to honoring American heroes, this president has delivered on his promises and is focused on building on his accomplishments.
“As Americans, the two main things that we ask our president to do are to keep us safe from enemies foreign and domestic and to promote policies that create shared prosperity. President Trump has done both of these things during his first term, and his economic record is truly historic.
“Under President Trump, tax cuts and strong wage growth have lifted working families, especially the lowest-paid Americans. We have the lowest unemployment in decades, with black unemployment at the lowest rate ever recorded, and job growth in every quarter of this presidency. The president deserves a lot of credit for being bold enough to cut taxes and repeal thousands of onerous regulations that stifled job creation and entrepreneurship.
“Very few prognosticators predicted an economy this strong, but this administration has delivered on its promises. The numbers don’t lie. No matter where one is on the political spectrum, everyone should applaud the fact that America is thriving.
“After our armed forces faced years of neglect, President Trump has fought to rebuild our military as our adversaries around the world work to grow stronger. When the president took office, ISIS was creating havoc and destruction in the Middle East. Today, their leader is dead and they control no territory. President Trump’s strike against Gen. Qassem Soleimani – a terrorist who had American blood dripping from his hands – was a major defeat for Iran, showing that nation that America will no longer tolerate attacks on our people.
“President Trump took a strong stand for life. I’ve been involved in the pro-life movement for four decades. Forty years ago, abortionists tried to convince us that an unborn baby wasn’t a life. Science proved them wrong. Today, they’re trying to convince us that killing an “unwanted” child as she’s being born is a human right. The president is working to bring the abortion industry to heel.
“The president rightly warned against the left’s efforts to outlaw private coverage and put us all on a new government program. Nearly three quarters of Americans would be worse off under Medicare for All, with the government taking half of our paychecks. He has delivered reforms to lower health care costs that are lowering premiums while better protecting people with pre-existing conditions.
“Now is the time to debate ideas and work together toward policy solutions that will lead to a better life for all Americans. At The Heritage Foundation, we stand ready to work with this administration and any member of Congress willing to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.”
