Ohio officials react to President Donald Trump’s speech

Reaction to President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday night from Ohio senators and members of Congress:

Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati

“As Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, I appreciate President Trump putting the issues that affect America’s 28 million small businesses front-and-center in his first address to Congress. Chief among those issues are the skyrocketing costs of Obamacare, which have fallen disproportionately on the backs of our small businesses. After the last eight years, small businesses cannot afford to wait much longer for solutions that will provide them with relief. Fortunately, this unified Republican government will continue to work quickly and efficiently to give our small businesses the tools they need to thrive.”

RELATED: Complete text of President Trump’s address

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio

“We can all agree that creating jobs and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure should be top priorities, and it was promising to hear President Trump renew his commitments to overhauling our trade policy and using American steel to rebuild our public works. But now we need to see action. I’ve shared my ideas for fulfilling his promises on trade and infrastructure jobs and I’m ready to get to work with President Trump whenever he’s willing to do what’s right for Ohio.”

RELATED: Highlights of President Trump’s address

Credit: Andrew Harrer

Credit: Andrew Harrer

Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton

“Tonight President Trump laid out how he’ll turn his campaign promises into policy. While I did not approve of President Trump’s proposed budget, I do agree with much of what he laid out this evening. Congress and the White House have an opportunity to make some big changes, including tax reform, health care reform, and obviously rebuilding our military. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to implement President Trump’s agenda.”

RELATED: What issues do Ohioans want President Trump to tackle?

Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy

“I was very encouraged by it. One of my big thoughts was that it was a vision speech….trying to unite the country and cast a positive vision. Policywise, I think the big thing was that we do what we said we would do, that we’re in the business of keeping promises. One of the most iconic ones was repeal and replace Obamacare. He highlighted the need for Congress to work to solve it and focus on the people back home.”

Dominic Manecke, spokesman for Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Jefferson Township

“She hoped for more. Her overall reaction is this: We heard a lot of sound bites but we didn’t hear a lot of concrete claims beyond those sound bites.”

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana

“We have a fundamental task: Do what the voters of this great country sent us here to do. President Trump understands that, and it’s time for all of us to get to work.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio

“I liked what he said about helping the most vulnerable among us – particularly those who are suffering from drug addiction. He talked about the need for us to keep the poison out of our communities but also how to help those who are in the grip of addiction get better treatment and recovery. That was significant. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before in a presidential speech before quite like that.”

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