Too often politicians avoid difficult problems facing the nation because the possible solutions are politically charged and hard to achieve. As a result, Washington regularly slips into demagoguery and inaction.
Yet, elected officials have a responsibility to handle the political hot potatoes that are handed to them, rather than just pass them off to the next generation.
After many years of work in the United States Senate, it’s been good to have President in the White House who is also committed to responding to the problems that face America today and in the years to come.
President Bush has a history of taking on the tough issues, even when conventional wisdom tells him to not even try. Along with his leadership during the last four years, on Capitol Hill we worked to modernize Medicare so that it will offer prescription drug coverage, cut taxes for every American, and promote job-creating free trade to provide new markets for Iowa farmers and businesses.
Looking ahead, in his State of the Union Address, President Bush outlined an aggressive agenda that responds to the threats America faces today and will strengthen our union in the future.
The President renewed his commitment to protecting our national security by meeting the threats to our nation in the countries that harbor and train terrorists rather than waiting for them to appear in our country with a plan in place. The fight at times has been costly, both in terms of dollars and in the lives of soldiers who have been fighting, but it’s a fight we must wage, and we must win.
During the speech, President Bush pointed to both an Iraqi woman who had voted for the first time ever in the elections held just a few days before and the mourning mother who had lost her son in Iraq. In a poignant picture of the progress we have made in this fight and the high cost we have paid, the two women embraced, a first time voter thanking and attempting to comfort a mother who had lost her son.
While we are making progress overseas to advance our national security, the President remains committed to improving the quality of life and strengthening institutions here at home.
One of the oldest and most successful federal programs ever created was Social Security. In his State of the Union, President Bush pointed out that Social Security is facing real problems and is in need of real solutions if it is going to serve future generations as well as it serves current retirees and those nearing retirement.
As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Social Security, I appreciate the President’s willingness to confront this politically sensitive issue head on and seek permanent solutions in a bipartisan way. We want a safe and secure retirement for every American, and I look forward to working with all members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – to strengthen Social Security for our children and grandchildren.