Virginia lawmakers' reactions to the president's speech

 "I agree with the president: To jump-start our economic recovery, we must work together to boost jobs and investments in manufacturing and refocus our efforts on quality job training and rebuilding American infrastructure. … I firmly believe that the best thing we can do to restore confidence is to reach agreement on a plan that addresses our deficits and debt, and I will continue to work with a growing bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate to come up with a responsible plan that fixes our nation's finances."

Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va.

 "Right now, small businesses are frozen and don't have the certainty they need to expand and create jobs, leaving far too many Americans out of work. But what the American people heard tonight is that the president's latest vision relies on the same failed policies that haven't worked to recover the economy or get people back to work. When something doesn't work, you change it. Instead of continuing the failed policies of President Obama that we know don't work, let's try something new. We can do better."

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-7th

 "Our economy has added a total of 3.2 million private-sector jobs over the last 22 months, but the president and congressional Democrats realize that we must do more to create jobs and accelerate our economic recovery. … Tonight, I believe the president laid out a strong blueprint that will ensure the long-term success of our economy and better address economic inequality by calling for a greater emphasis on American manufacturing, American energy, and investment in the skills and competitiveness of the American workforce."

Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-3rd

"Hardworking American taxpayers rise early and go to bed late.  I'm sure they are angry with Washington speechwriters who talk about bringing new values to government.  Values that can regulate light bulbs, but cannot regulate government spending.  Values that ban prayer and faith from public places.  Values that talk about jobs, but only manufacture regulation and red tape.  These hardworking taxpayers know that America can and will be rebuilt, but they believe it should not be rebuilt on their backs, but by their hands."

Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-4th

“One year later, we continue to face the same challenges as we did during last year’s State of the Union address. Far too many in the 5^th District remain out of work while our nation’s economy struggles with over 8% unemployment for the 35^th straight month. On top of that, the debt owed by every American man, woman, and child amounts to 48,000 dollars, and a staggering 15 trillion dollar debt and has now overtaken the size of our entire economy. The House has led the way since last January, focusing on saving taxpayer dollars rather than spending taxpayer dollars, and focusing on advancing job-creating policies rather than job-crushing regulations. If one thing has become crystal clear in the past year, it is that continuing on this current path of Senate inaction is no longer an option."

-- Rep. Robert Hurt, R-5th

"I believe, as the president stated, that we must preserve the American Dream. A dream fought for by so many in our history, by heroes that gave their lives in the name of freedom. But the American dream does not emerge by sending more money to Washington, over-regulation of our job-creators, or simply saying ‘no’ to projects that will bring more energy development here in the United States. I was disappointed to hear a proposal for higher taxes. Washington has not shown that it can be responsible in spending, and Americans and job-creators should not be asked to send more of their hard-earned salaries to Washington. Missing from the President’s speech was a commitment to ensure our Department of Defense is directed by strategy and not by numbers."

Rep. Robert J. Wittman, R-1st

"I appreciate the respect and tribute President Obama paid to our troops. Our men and women in uniform sacrifice so much in defending our freedom, and I was grateful the President acknowledged that. We heard the President talk of the need to come together, yet some of his remarks pitted one group of Americans against another. I think that is counterproductive and divides, rather than unites, America."

-- Rep. Scott Rigell, R-2nd

 "Since the start of the 112th Congress, the House has passed more than 30 bipartisan jobs bills which are designed to create jobs, end economic uncertainty and make America more competitive. Twenty-seven of these bills continue to await consideration in the Democratically controlled Senate. The time for action is now."

Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte, R-6th

 "The president has said repeatedly that we need to create more jobs and grow the economy. However, just last week, he rejected the Keystone XL pipeline permit, which would have created thousands of immediate American jobs. In addition, burdensome regulations are tying the hands of small-business owners. When it comes to jobs, his record does not match his rhetoric. If President Obama is truly interested in creating an economy 'built to last,' he needs to support regulatory relief for job creators, invest in America's abundant energy resources, and rein in government spending."

Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-9th

 "President Obama has received no help and no credit from the other side, who continue to put politics ahead of policy. His hand has been bitten repeatedly by those who proclaim their most important goal is his defeat, yet still he reaches out, in the spirit of bipartisanship, for the good of our nation and all of us who are proud to be Americans. I was proud to hear our president call for Congress to put aside partisan bickering for the sake of our country, to make sure everyone plays by the same rules and to strive to reclaim American values."

Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-11th