DeGette on Trump SOTU Speech: We Deserve Better from the President

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO), Chief Deputy Whip, issued the following statement concerning President Donald J. Trump's speech tonight:

"I attended the State of the Union address with low expectations -- and unfortunately, I was not disappointed. Despite the White House claim that the president would seek common ground, this speech was designed to divide Americans and deepen the fissures in our democracy.

"It was full of generalities. The few issues he addressed were cast in hyper-partisan terms. The use of fear-mongering to push for immigration reforms was outrageously cynical, practically equating Dreamers with members of a despicable, vicious gang. Is this the way he intends to negotiate legislation to address our broken immigration system?"

"We deserve better from the President of the United States. What a shame that he chose to make this divisive speech tonight in the People's House."