Rep. Peters Praises President’s Call for Greater Investments in Science, Research, and College Affordability

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement after hearing President Obama’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol:

“I was encouraged to hear President Obama engaging on issues of importance to San Diego and the country, and calling for bipartisanship on economic growth. Despite the recent good economic news, there are still too many families who are working harder than ever yet are still unable to get ahead. Fair wages and tax breaks for working families are a good first step, but the real answer lies in providing greater opportunities for prosperity for all.

“I was pleased to hear the President call for increased investment in medical research, which is of particular importance to economic growth and job creation here in San Diego where local companies like Vertex Pharmaceuticals are creating cutting-edge therapies and the jobs of the future.” 

The President highlighted Vertex in tonight’s address for their work to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Peters recently visited Vertex, which is located in the 52nd Congressional District.

Peters continued, “The President’s focus on expanding access to college was also very welcome, not just to families struggling to save enough to send their kids to college, but also to thousands of San Diego companies who are reliant on an educated workforce. Our companies can’t grow and prosper without them.”

Rep. Peters also commented on the President’s tax proposals. “It is also abundantly clear to me that our current tax system is broken and we need comprehensive reform to make it simpler, fairer, and to provide the middle class with needed relief – but we must have more than just tax reform. Economic growth is the real centerpiece for getting more money into the pockets of middle class families, and that will remain at the center of my agenda.

“I was also glad to hear the President continue his call for action on climate, through building up community resiliency in the face of extreme weather and by addressing the harmful emissions that are leading directly to climate change,” Peters said.

For the speech, Congressman Peters joined with his colleague from Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema to bring Dr. Howard and Jean Somers to raise awareness on the tragic problem of veteran suicide.

“The Somers have been fiercely committed to making reforms at the VA that will save lives, even after that system failed them and their son. I was honored to join with my friend Congresswoman Sinema to bring the Somers to the State of the Union,” Peters said. “As we work to end the scourge of veteran suicide we will need aggressive partners like the Somers to help push reform forward.”

The Somers reside in Coronado, and have been advocates for reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs since losing their son, an Army veteran who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), to suicide in 2013.

###