U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, who represents Massachusetts' 2nd congressional district, discussed President Trump's State of the Union address last night with WGBH News' Marilyn Schairer. To listen to the interview, click on the audio player above.
Several Massachusetts Democrats came out swinging with criticism in response to President Trump's State of the Union speech.
Trump addressed a deeply divided Congress and nation Tuesday night, touting his economic gains — including the GOP tax plan passed last month — and highlighting issues of immigration and terrorism abroad. While the president sought to encourage bipartisanship, condemnation from Massachusetts Democrats in Congress was strong.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren aired her frustrations in a series of tweets, saying "America isn't stronger when @realDonaldTrump gives gigantic tax breaks to billionaires & giant corporations," and "America's moral fabric isn't stronger when @realDonaldTrump breaks our promise to 800,000 Dreamers."
America's future isn't stronger when @realDonaldTrump gives away gigantic tax breaks to billionaires & giant corporations so there's no money for education, infrastructure, & the tools we need to succeed.— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) January 31, 2018
America's moral fabric isn't stronger when @realDonaldTrump breaks our promise to 800,000 Dreamers. #SOTU— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) January 31, 2018
Rep. Richard Neal also tweeted "We simply cannot have an 'America First' agenda that doesn't lift up ALL Americans from ALL walks of life."
At the #SOTU President Trump talked about putting our country first. We simply cannot have an "America First" agenda that does not lift up ALL Americans from ALL walks of life. https://t.co/UpbYYAN5lc— Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) January 31, 2018
Keeping with that theme, Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who delivered the Democratic rebuttal to Trump's address from Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River, said economic benefits are being delivered to a lucky few. He stressed the importance of government working for the interests of all Americans.
"They are turning American life into a zero-sum game," said Kennedy during the speech, referring to Republicans. "Where for one to win, another must lose. ... Here is the answer Democrats offer tonight: we choose both. We fight for both. Because the strongest, richest, greatest nation in the world shouldn’t leave any one behind."
Rep. Jim McGovern said Trump's speech “seemed like the longest State of The Union I ever attended. I was really happy when it ended.”
McGovern said he thought parts of the speech did the opposite of unifying the nation.
“He talked very divisively about immigration. He talked about the need to deal with the opioid crisis, but he offered no resources to give to people to fight this terrible scourge," he said.
McGovern added that the Trump's speech demonstrated how the president seeks to calm the American public, but continues to place the burden on cities and towns, when it comes to important issues such as re-building infrastructure.
