State's GOP delegation gives high marks to Trump's speech

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address got rave reviews from members of the all-Republican Arkansas congressional delegation.

The state's two U.S. senators and four U.S. representatives, who have praised Trump's first year in the White House, said Tuesday's speech struck the right tone.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman said Trump's message was "very upbeat."

"He talked about the greatness of America and did a great job of illustrating that with some of the people that he had in the balcony illustrating different stories. He also talked about some of our problems," the Republican from Rogers said.

[FULL TEXT + COMPLETE VIDEO: President Trump's 2018 State of the Union address]

Boozman said he was pleased to hear Trump pledging "in a very forceful way" to bring down the cost of prescription drugs.

"That to me was a promise to Americans and we're going to work very, very hard with him to see if we can get that done which is so, so very important," he added.

He also welcomed Trump's call for increasing military spending.

"All in all, I thought it was probably the best speech that I've ever heard him give," Boozman added.

U.S. Rep. French Hill called Trump's address "inspirational."

"I thought the tone was a warm tone. It was a unifying tone. He certainly talked about the bipartisan priorities of both domestic and foreign policy," the Republican from Little Rock said.

Hill also welcomed Trump's comments on the need to improve infrastructure and address opioid abuse.

"I thought he did an excellent job talking about the steps he had taken to improve our economy and improve the economic growth rate and opportunities for our families to have jobs and higher wages," Hill said.

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford said there were "no big surprises in that speech."

"For the most part, I think he hit all the points that I anticipated," the Republican from Jonesboro said. "He talked about immigration. He talked about infrastructure. I was glad to hear him touch on the opioid crisis."

Trump's guests in the audience had moving stories as well, Crawford said.

"I had hoped to hear a little bit more about rural America. That's just the Arkansas in me," he said.

Crawford liked the president's call for increased military spending.

He was glad to hear Trump call for increased spending to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, but "I'm going to need a little more detail on that, a little more information."

The question Crawford still wants answered: how to pay for $1.5 trillion in improvements.

"Tonight, President Trump brought us a message of American strength," U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman said in a written statement.

"As the recently passed tax relief package proves, the President is committed to conservative principles that will improve the economy, add jobs, and put more money in the pocket of hardworking Americans," the Republican from Hot Springs said.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton also issued a written statement praising what he called Trump's "ambitious agenda for the year ahead."

"I was especially pleased to hear him commit to a defense budget that takes seriously the threats we face, and I strongly support his executive order to keep Guantanamo Bay open."

The immigration framework outlined in the speech is "humane and generous, but also responsible," the Republican from Dardanelle added. "America is getting back on its feet after eight listless years; let's roll up our sleeves and build on that progress in 2018."

In a written statement, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack also gave the address high marks.

"The President's speech resonated with the values of Arkansans and the values of all Americans. It united us in hope," the Republican from Rogers said. "I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump and his administration to build a safe, strong, and proud America."

While the lawmakers on the floor were cheering, a number of Arkansans were watching from the balcony. U.S. Army Col. Jennifer Wesley, a native of Camden and a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was Boozman's guest.

A retired Army colonel, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs director Nate Todd, came at Westerman's invitation.

Womack brought Shane Wilkinson, a former deputy prosecuting attorney in Benton County.

Cotton gave his ticket to Phyllis Harden of Pine Bluff, a Republican campaign donor and longtime Cotton supporter.

Hill invited his wife, Little Rock attorney and lobbyist Martha Hill. She sat beside Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.



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Metro on 01/31/2018

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