Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On the President’s State of the Union Address January 23, 2007 “With the President continuing to defend a failed strategy for Iraq, Congress must use its power of the purse to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq so that we can refocus on the global terrorist threats that are not being adequately addressed right now. While I was pleased that the President addressed some of the most pressing domestic issues facing our country, his health care proposal is not the right fix for our broken health care system. A better approach would be the one I introduced last year authorizing a few states to participate in pilot programs with the goal of providing good health care to all their residents. I agree with the President’s call for a reduction in gasoline consumption but it should be coupled with a real investment in renewable sources of energy. I was also heartened when the President once again called for a comprehensive solution to our nation’s illegal immigration problem. Building walls and deporting millions is not realistic and could cripple our economy. We need a pragmatic solution and I look forward to working with the President to achieve one.”

# # #