Local elected officials react to Trump’s address to Congress
Rep. Joe Morelle (left) and Rep. Claudia Tenney (right). File photo: WHEC)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Local members of Congress are reacting to President Donald Trump’s speech on Tuesday night. During the joint session in the House Chamber, the president addressed the War in Ukraine, the cutting of federal jobs, his decision to enact tariffs, and other topics that have become hot-button issues since he took office.
News10NBC spoke to Rep. Morelle (D) and Rep. Tenney (R) about Trump’s policies ahead of the address:
Rep. Joe Morelle (D) said in a statement that the president’s speech was meant to distract from the reckless and destructive policies of his administration:
“Tonight’s speech was exactly what we’ve come to expect from Donald Trump—more meaningless promises designed to distract from the reckless and destructive policies of his administration.”
“The American people aren’t fooled. They know we need real solutions to lower costs, keep our communities safe and build a stronger economy—not more tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires. We should be standing up for middle class families, protecting our freedoms, and defending democracy—the very values that have always defined our nation.”
“This address was another missed opportunity. I can only hope that one day, the President makes a good-faith effort to advance what should be shared goals. Until then, I will continue fighting for what is right.”
In a statement on Facebook, Rep. Claudia Tenney (R) said President Trump has already accomplished more for the American people than any other modern president. Here is the full statement:
Senator Chuck Schumer (D) also released a statement on Facebook, calling the address full of broken promises and lies when it comes to the economy and other issues:
“There was more truth in 10 minutes of Elissa Slotkin’s rebuttal than 2 hours of Donald Trump’s longwinded diatribe. Instead of focusing on driving costs down, in Donald Trump’s first month in office, inflation, rents, groceries, and Putin’s influence are all on the rise.”
“The stock market is plummeting as he starts ill-conceived trade wars with our allies—hurting our farmers, families and 401Ks. Americans will look at what he has done, not what he says, and see the destruction he’s beginning to wreak on you, your family, and our country.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) hasn’t released a reaction statement on Facebook, but said she brought Andy Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, as her guest:
“The stories of first responders like Andy remind us of our promise to our 9/11 heroes. We must come together to make sure 9/11 survivors and first responders are never without care. …9/11 survivors and first responders battling devastating 9/11-related illnesses deserve care. Tonight, we are reminding President Trump and Elon Musk of America’s promise to never forget these heroes.”
New York State-level officials are also reacting. Gerard Kassar, chair of the New York State Conservative Party, called the address a tour de force of energy and ideas:
“President Donald Trump has gotten out faster than any president in U.S. history. Tonight’s address was a tour de force of energy and ideas. His mandate to bring common sense back to America has captured the public’s imagination and given the nation a clear path forward for the first time in a long time. Democrats in the House Chamber badly embarrassed themselves tonight with gimmicks and disruptions. They showed their growing irrelevance on the national stage.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul also released a statement, saying Trump’s policies fail to make the cost of living more affordable in New York and across the country:
“In fact, we heard the exact opposite: plan after plan that would raise costs on consumers. The President doubled down on his tariffs, which would cost New York families more than $1,200 each year and devastate our family farms. He called on Congress to repeal the CHIPS and Science Act, which would risk 50,000 jobs and a $100 billion investment in Central New York. And he was shockingly silent on health care — even as his allies in Congress threaten to strip Medicaid coverage away from millions of New Yorkers.”