U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said he backed President's Obama's priorities in Tuesday night's State of the Union address -- particularly the President's focus on Democrats and Republicans working together to put the needs of the country first, before partisan politics.
“The state of our union is getting stronger, but we have more work to do," Thompson said, echoing Obama's words.
"Whether it’s creating jobs, getting our fiscal house in order, fixing our broken immigration system, or putting policies in place that respect the Second Amendment while also reducing gun violence, our nation faces big challenges," Thompson added. "We won’t overcome these challenges as Democrats versus Republicans – we must meet them together as Americans."
said the cooperation across party lines was the only way to move forward with meaningful legislation.
“Finally, tonight President Obama once again called on Congress to pass legislation that will reduce gun violence," he said.
"Last month, the President acted by signing a series of executive actions that will have a meaningful impact on reducing gun violence," Thompson said. "But as we know, the policies that would have the greatest impact require congressional action.
“Whether you’re an NRA member like Elvin Daniel, the guest I hosted at tonight’s State of the Union, a hunter and gun owner like me, or one of the millions of Americans who have never fired a gun, we can all agree that when thirty-plus people die every day from gun violence that it’s time for Congress act," Thompson said.
"My task force is already acting," he added. "Last week we released a comprehensive set of policy principles that both respect the Second Amendment Rights of law-abiding Americans and will prevent gun violence.
"We’re using these policy principles to develop and influence legislation in both the House and Senate and are working to get legislation based on these principles signed into law," he said.
“But this can’t just be a Democratic effort," Thompson said. "It’s time for our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us and use the principles we developed to put laws in place that respect the rights of lawful Americans to own firearms and make our schools, neighborhoods, communities and country safer"
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