Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) made the following comments after President Bush’s State of the Union address:
“I was glad to hear the President focus on health care, on energy and on fiscal responsibility. It is vital that the federal government becomes fiscally responsible, and that we balance the budget while keeping taxes low and ending the abuse of wasteful earmarks.
"At the same time, to be prepared to compete in the 21st century, our country must embrace new technologies that lead to energy independence, and we must ensure that health care for our citizens becomes more accessible and affordable.”
Sen. Lamar Alexander said, “The biggest news tonight was about health care costs and energy independence. The President’s proposal to lower healthcare costs was this: 80 percent of working Tennesseans could save more than $3,000 on average in federal income taxes and payroll taxes which they then could use to buy health insurance.
“On energy independence, the President’s proposal would reduce the use of gasoline by 20 percent over the next 10 years. This would help clean the air in Tennessee, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create a new market for Tennessee agricultural products like corn and grass used for ethanol and other alternative fuels.”
Bob Davis, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, said, "President Bush did an outstanding job tonight addressing our nation regarding his plan to effectively govern with the newly elected Congress.
"By offering comprehensive proposals to improve America without compromising our principles, President Bush further proved his ability to lead by conviction and not by polls."