Hudson Valley Congress Members React To Trump's Address

Members of Congress from the Hudson Valley weighed in on what they thought of President Donald Trump's second State of the Union address Tuesday. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-Bronx/Westchester, said it was filled with baseless rhetoric and self-promotion.

"He claimed this speech would bring people together," Engel said on Facebook. "Unsurprisingly, it fell well short."

The president, he said, took aim at Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, and attacked Democratic oversight and a woman's right to choose.

"Once again tonight, the president made outlandish claims about crime in an attempt to scare people into thinking his ridiculous border wall is necessary," Engel said.

"If he was looking to reset his agenda in light of a House with a Democratic majority, he failed. Tonight's speech was just more of the same," he said.

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Rockland/Westchester, said she welcomed Trump's appeal to bipartisanship, but his remarks fell on Americans' skeptical ears.

"If the president is sincere, he must now follow up with constructive actions and abandon the dangerous, divisive policies of his administration," she said.

"Solutions on infrastructure, prescription drugs and paid family leave can command bipartisan support, and the president must also show that he can keep his word and facilitate bipartisan compromise — including by supporting ongoing appropriations negotiations," Lowey said.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Northern Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess, said he would believe Trump is serious about bipartisanship when he sees it.

"If the president wants to work together on rebuilding our failing infrastructure and fighting HIV, count me in," he said. "If he wants to keep throwing fits and flying solo, we're going to miss important opportunities to get things done for the people."

Newly elected Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-Mid-Hudson Valley, said the State of the Union is "a time for the president to reflect upon the shared goals of our nation and how Congress and the administration can best serve the people.

"While I wish the president's speech had focused more on what brings us together, I was glad to hear him discuss some key issues that I think we can all … agree to prioritize, like reducing the price of prescription drugs and strengthening our infrastructure," he said.

"Day-in and day-out, I will continue to prioritize protecting our water infrastructure and other critical matters that I hear from the people of my district, from expanding rural broadband to supporting our farmers to improving access to quality health care," Delgado said.

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