Young Voices: President Barack Obama’s State of the Union and Reaction

John Rodriguez

February 13, 2013

Last Night, President Barack Obama stood before Congress and all of America and delivered his State of the Union address. On Tuesday, President Obama discussed both economy recovery and for immigration reform.

Continuing to place emphasis on the importance of reforming immigration, Obama called for Congress to send him an immigration reform bill in-which he hopes will be done within the next few months.

“We know what needs to be done. As we speak, bipartisan groups in both chambers are working diligently to draft a bill, and I applaud their efforts. Now let’s get this done. Send me a comprehensive immigration reform in the next few months and I will sign it right away.”

In the speech, Obama described key principles that should be included in the reform such as: border security, legal immigration reform, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who already living in the country.

An essential part of the current proposed immigration reform is the pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. There have been discussions regarding the pathway to citizenship, Obama and Democrats believe it is absolute necessary to the reform. A bipartisan group in the Senate, known as the “Gang of 8”, also includes the pathway to citizenship. However, there are those who oppose.

Republicans in the House and the Senate are skeptical about the pathway to citizenship, and believes it will believe it would do more harm than good. Republican Representative of Idaho Raúl Labrador, also a potential leader on Immigration, said last week that when the bill is presented he and the majority of his party would vote down the pathway to citizenship.

Although immigration reform was a major focal point in his State of the Union, it closely tied into another issue Obama would spend time addressing.

“Real reform means fixing the legal immigration system to cut waiting periods, reduce bureaucracy and attract the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy.”

During the speech, Obama described a strategy that would make the United States bring in more jobs and manufacturing. Reporting on the creation of manufacturing jobs stateside would create more jobs, Obama stressed the importance of how these jobs held here would prove beneficially for our future.

Also, with the creation of new jobs Americans would need to be equipped with the skills needed to do these jobs. Overall, Obama noted that through investments in manufacturing and in our education system would create hard-working Americans who would as a result strengthen the country itself.

Obama also addressed the closing of loopholes taken by Corporations to earn special tax breaks that would, in return, save billions of dollars over the next several years.

If Congress fails to act in creating legislation that will better the country’s economy, America faces automatic spending cuts will go into effect this year. Cuts currently total $1 trillion and means: cuts in support programs to 1.2 million disadvantaged students; 30,000 teachers and education employees face loss of their jobs; halt in research that focuses on finding treatments and cures to some of the diseases ailing Americans, and reduce lending to small businesses by up to $540 million which effects our economy when there is no job creation.

Responding to the State of the Union address, Congressman Charles Rangel released a statement in support of President Obama’s speech stating it was his, “renewed commitment to rebuilding our nation. Strengthening our economy is essential to our stability, and can only be accomplished by creating jobs, rebuilding our middle class, and investing in our future.”

Rangel also noted the President’s initiative in improving this country’s middle class, creating jobs via manufacturing, and supporting our teachers in ensuring future Americans obtain skills that meets these new manufacturing jobs. Rangel even commented on the importance of the pathway to citizenship portion of the immigration reform finding it pivotal to this economy since undocumented immigrants can help better it.

Rangel ended his statement on a good and reflective note stating, “The state of our union is strong, but here in Congress, there is a long path ahead to improve upon what has already been done. The President’s plan to improve our economy coupled with the social reforms ahead domestically will create an equal America that we can be proud of. I will continue to support the President…The American people deserve real leadership not partisanship. Democrats are eager to work with Republicans to find solutions, not sequesters. We urge our Republican Colleagues to join our efforts.”

Now is the time for Congress to act and make the necessary changes needed to ensure this country’s future.