WASHINGTON, DC - Thurssday night, Congressman Mike Michaud issued the following statement in response to the President’s address before a joint session of Congress:
 
“The best ideas for helping our economy are not Republican ideas or Democratic ideas. They are the ideas that move us all forward, not just the wealthy, the connected, and the special interests.
 
“I agree with the President that we must put partisanship aside and work together to create jobs and get this economy moving again. I also agree with the President that we must focus on improving and updating our nation’s transportation and infrastructure. This is truly a bipartisan goal that will create jobs and help states plan ahead so they can take action on critical improvements. It’s something that many of us in Congress have been calling for serious action on for years, and I’m glad to see that the President has finally come around on the need to act.
 
“However, I’m disappointed that the President is falling back into some of the same old Washington ways when it comes to trade policy. He is a chief proponent of passing three more free trade agreements that will offshore U.S. jobs. Instead of passing damaging trade deals like his predecessors, the President should instead embrace the need to crack down on foreign currency manipulation. This one bipartisan policy change, which makes sure our trading partners play by the rules, is estimated to create over two million U.S. jobs alone. It also wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime.
 
“I look forward to reviewing the details of the President’s legislative proposal when he presents it to Congress.”

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