Colorado's elected officials, political organizations react to President Trump's speech to Congress

DENVER – Colorado politicians and political organizations reacted swiftly to President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress Tuesday night.

Here is a roundup of some of the responses received by Denver7:

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo.

“Tonight, President Trump outlined his plan to tackle our country’s challenges. I am encouraged that he prioritized strengthening our economy and boosting job creation as well as addressing our broken health care system. Equally as important, the President highlighted the increasingly complex security threats we’re facing around the globe, including Iran and ISIS. After eight years of a failed foreign policy that led to emboldened regimes and instability in the Middle East, it’s critical that the United States stands up to its adversaries and stands by its allies.

“While headlines may reflect polarization, I remain convinced that more unites us than divides us. Our shared love and respect for democracy continues to make America the greatest nation on earth. Our country is still one that strives to inspire, innovate, invent, and above all – promote and create opportunities. I’m committed to working with this Administration on behalf of Coloradans to strengthen our country and make it easier for every American to succeed.”

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

“I am pleased the President condemned the recent hate crimes and attacks on Jewish community centers and cemeteries. Such actions have no place in the United States or anywhere else.

“I have long said I will work with anyone to rebuild our infrastructure, fix our broken immigration system, educate our children, protect our environment, reduce our debt, and repair our health care system. In the days ahead, I hope the President will start the hard work of building consensus and leave the campaign behind.”

Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo.

“The president’s address was a reminder that America is strong when we stand together and work to achieve common goals. We all want a robust economy, affordable and accessible health care, safe communities, and a better future for our kids. Tonight, the president laid out what his governing vision is for America – much of which Republicans in Congress have already started working on as part of our Better Way Agenda.

“We’re repealing and replacing Obamacare with a health care system that lowers costs, increases choice, and ensures all Americans can access the health services they need. We are taking steps to roll back the federal overreach that has plagued small business owners and entrepreneurs over the last eight years, because a vibrant Main Street is critical to a strong economy. We are also working towards streamlining and simplifying our tax code, so businesses will feel confident investing in the United States and Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money.

“We’re at a pivotal point in our nation’s history, and I look forward to continuing the work that will advance policies that benefit the families of the Third Congressional District of Colorado.”

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo.

“I’m eager to work with President Trump to advance conservative policy,” stated Congressman Ken Buck. “Tonight he called for lower taxes for the middle class, a roll back of excessive regulations, a better healthcare system for Americans, and safety and security for our communities. It’s time for America to once again be optimistic.”

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo.

"For the past month, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have been giving us platitudes and promises, but no real plans on anything from health care to immigration to education and beyond. Meanwhile, the president's actions speak louder than any number of grand pronouncements he made this evening. His draft budget is completely out of line with U.S. values and long-term interests. He talks about things that will be wildly expensive, but then offers no way to pay for them but vague assurances of tax cuts. These things sound great in a speech, but the reality has set in: As president, you have to put in place workable policies."

Colorado Republican Committee Chairman Steve House

“Finally, a president came before the American people to speak plainly and honestly about the future of our great country. Tonight, President Donald J. Trump outlined an optimistic and bold vision for our country that crosses party lines. 

“President Trump has now set lawmakers on a clear path to improve our nation’s health care, protect our borders, require tax and regulation reform and ensure the future of American exceptionalism. 

“Since January 20th, President Trump has been fulfilling the promises he made to the American people at a record-setting pace, including bringing back American jobs and nominating a mainstream conservative to the Supreme Court. This evening, he expanded on his plans to pass an aggressive agenda that will solve real problems for real people, make sure every American who needs a good job gets one, and put our nation’s security first. 

“It is my sincere hope Senator Michael Bennet and the Democrats will join with President Trump to help fix the problems of this country and Make America Great Again.”

ProgressNow Colorado Executive Director Ian Silverii

“The only thing saving our nation from the abyss today is the fact that Donald Trump is having trouble keeping his promises,” said ProgressNow Colorado executive director Ian Silverii. “The first month of Trump’s administration has been an historic disaster, as Trump has lurched from crisis to crisis within his administration, only partially successful in his plans to attack abortion rights, working people, immigrants, and clean water. Trump has abandoned his promises to help American workers compete in the global economy, and instead signed our government over to the same Wall Street kingpins who plunged the nation into recession less than a decade ago.”

“President Trump’s false claims about the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, do not comport with the experience of millions of Americans who have gained coverage from President Obama’s signature health care reform law,” said Silverii. “Today, the polls show Americans have finally come to understand the benefits of Obamacare, and Americans have rejected the years of misinformation from the Trump and Colorado’s Sen. Cory Gardner. No replacement for the Affordable Care Act introduced by Republicans would protect as many Americans as the Affordable Care Act, and eliminating the key protections and coverage benefits in the Affordable Care Act could deprive millions of Americans of the care they need. For too many, Trump’s cavalier dismissals of their need for care are a life-or-death proposition.”

“It is inconceivable that Donald Trump, a man who has spent so much time and effort demonizing immigrants, could ever deliver workable comprehensive immigration reform--and Trump failed to articulate anything but a vision of greed and contempt tonight on immigration,” said Silverii. “Trump’s unconscionable attacks on Latin American immigrants and refugees from war-torn nations around the world, which continued in tonight’s address to the shock of many in the chamber and millions watching, have left him completely alienated from the communities he needs to buy in to any immigration reform plan. Expecting immigrant communities to trust Trump after his disparagement of them as violent criminals and terrorists would is impossible.”

“Tonight, President Trump tried the same tricks that he used on the campaign trail last year, and failed,” said Silverii. “Trump is full of grand empty promises to working people, but his actions so far have proven that he doesn’t care about America’s working families or the middle class. The campaign is over, and Trump is learning that being President is more than stringing words together. Tonight’s speech just demonstrated once again that Trump is not up to the job.”