Indiana’s elected officials and political leaders react to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly

  • I’m pleased that President Trump spoke about continuing the economic growth that our country has enjoyed for the last several years, but we have more work to do to ensure every Hoosier who wants a job has one, to prevent the outsourcing of American jobs, and to realign our trade policies to benefit hardworking men and women across our country. There are a lot of pressing challenges facing our country, and I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to: address the opioid epidemic, which is in desperate need of a more robust federal response; repair and upgrade our nation’s infrastructure; and implement a comprehensive strategy to effectively counter the dangerous threat posed by North Korea.”

U.S. Senator Todd Young

  • U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following video statement regarding the President’s first State of the Union address.

Jackie Walorski – CD 2

  • “President Trump tonight displayed the kind of bold optimism that defines the American spirit. Congress and the president set out last year to build a stronger country and make sure the American Dream remains a reality. Now hardworking families are seeing the benefits of the historic tax cuts we passed into law, while job creators are seizing the opportunity to hire more workers, raise wages, and invest in our local communities.  In the face of global threats, President Trump has been steadfast as commander-in-chief, standing strong against our nation’s enemies and working with Congress to restore our military to full strength. And his decision to keep Gitmo open for the most dangerous terrorist detainees will make America safer. The president spoke with a message of unity and a vision for a brighter future, and I’m excited to keep working together for the American people.”

Jim Banks – CD 3

  • “Tonight, the leader of the free world spoke directly to the American people during his first State of the Union address. In his speech, President Trump reflected on the significant accomplishments of 2017 and outlined an agenda to create a more safe, strong and proud America moving forward. I am hopeful that tonight’s address will yield bipartisan cooperation on important issues like rebuilding our military, rolling back egregious regulations and strengthening our national security. He also highlighted why Congress must make progress on securing our border and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure. I am energized and ready to work with my colleagues and the administration in the year ahead.”

Todd Rokita – CD 4

  • “President Donald Trump put forth an American First agenda to build a safer, stronger, and prouder country,” said Congressman Todd Rokita. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the forgotten men and women of this country have a voice in the White House and I’m proud to be an ally to drain the swamp and make our nation great again.”

Luke Messer – CD 6

  • “2017 was a great year! We delivered on several of President Trump’s key agenda items and tonight he laid out another bold, optimistic vision for 2018,” Messer said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, unemployment is at record lows, the economy is booming, and Hoosier workers are keeping more of their paychecks. I look forward to continue working with the President to keep delivering for Hoosiers.”

Andre Carson – CD 7

  • “Despite my deep misgivings about President Trump’s campaign for president, I entered his first year in office ready to work together for solutions to critical problems facing all Americans. I was deeply disappointed that rather than working across the aisle, he pursued a series of policies that abandoned the middle-class, seniors, children, and immigrants. He enacted a tax law that left behind the middle-class in favor of millionaires and billionaires. He disrupted our health insurance markets, leaving millions of Americans unsure how they will access affordable health care in the near future. His unrestrained tweeting and self-aggrandizing rhetoric played on our national divisions and ostracized our allies around the world.  The state of our union has suffered because of his irresponsible governance.  Tonight’s speech did little to repair the damage of the last year. However, I continue to believe that working together is the best way to move our country forward.  President Trump and I agree on the job creation and economic development potential we could see from an infrastructure investment package. In Indiana, where crumbling roads and bridges cost the average Hoosiers $272 per year in repairs, this package could mean more good paying jobs and more money in their pockets.  I hope to work with the President to bring forward a well-balanced proposal early this year.  With over 59,000 overdose deaths in 2016, including over 1,500 in Indiana, we agree on the need to tackle the opioid crisis. I applauded his decision to formally name it a national health emergency and to get the chance to vote for legislation to give the funding it deserves.   Affordable community health care continues to be a top priority for countless low-income neighborhoods across our country. Despite allowing Community Health Centers to lapse, I’m hopeful that my Republican colleagues will work with us to bring return to our long track record of funding these centers.   No matter how much I disagree with the President’s ideology, policies, and approach to the presidency, I remain committed to working with anyone who has the best interests of my constituents and the American people at heart. I will continue to encourage the President and my Republican colleagues to return to our traditional, non-partisan approach to many of the issues facing our country. But, as through the last year, I will stand firmly opposed to any effort that will hurt those I represent or further divide our nation. Now is the time for unity, not division.”

Larry Bucshon – CD 8

  • “Tonight, President Trump gave his first State of the Union address, outlining the accomplishments of his first year in office and sharing with the nation his vision for moving forward and building a safe, strong and proud America.”

Kyle Hupfer – Indiana Republican Party Chairman

  • “In just one year’s time, Hoosiers are already seeing the benefits of the strong leadership that President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are bringing to Washington. As a direct result of President Trump’s tax cuts, for example, Hoosiers throughout the state will start to see larger paychecks in the coming weeks, while companies like FedEx are choosing to expand here and give raises and bonuses to their Hoosier workforce.   Today the state of our union is strong, with President Trump and our Republican team in Congress tackling the biggest issues facing our nation today – from protecting America from threats around the world to building our nation’s critical infrastructure here at home.Tonight, President Trump laid out a clear vision for continuing to help build better lives for all Americans.  For this progress to continue, it’s critical that we send President Trump and Vice President Pence the team they need to deliver this bold agenda to the American people. In November, Hoosiers will have the opportunity to fire Democrat Joe Donnelly – who consistently votes against President Trump – and replace him with a leader who will help the president reform Washington.”

John Zody – Indiana Democratic Party

  • “Tonight, President Trump outlined a divisive agenda tailor-made to benefit the well-off and the well-connected at the expense of working Hoosiers. Wall Streeters and CEOs might be toasting the President, but real Hoosiers are right to feel left behind and mislead. It’s tough to imagine the 215 Carrier workers who lost their jobs this month getting much satisfaction from boasts about new stock market highs. President Trump’s word doesn’t mean much when their jobs still moved overseas. Raising taxes on middle-class Hoosiers to cut taxes for the wealthy and big corporations isn’t an accomplishment, it’s shameful. A year into his presidency, the GOP agenda isn’t raising Hoosiers’ incomes or cutting the price of prescription drugs. President Trump said little tonight to give Hoosiers hope that’ll change. The President would be wise to engage lawmakers like Joe Donnelly who are willing to work together to get things done. While he indicated he wants to work with both parties, talk is cheap until we see real bipartisan action from this administration on promises made to the American people.”

This will be updated with more reaction as quotes become available.