(Washington, DC) – U.S. Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) released the following statement after the State of the Union Address delivered by President Donald Trump on Tuesday night:

“For too long, Washington has been locked in bitter partisanship that has hindered the government’s ability to deliver solutions to the challenges facing hardworking American families. I appreciated the call tonight to put aside our differences to work towards the common goal of creating a more prosperous, secure, and free America.”

“One of the key areas in which both sides of the aisle can agree is our Constitutional duty to provide for the common defense. Our Armed Services are in dire need of reinvestment and support. In 2017, we lost 80 service members due to training incidences alone. This is because our troops are using equipment that is run down, manning vehicles that are well beyond their lifespans, and not getting nearly the adequate training time they need. Earlier today, the House passed a Defense Appropriations Bill that begins to fix this, but this challenge will require continued and consistent support in subsequent years in order to fill in our capabilities shortfalls. As I’ve always said, the first priority of the federal government is the safety and security of our home. With increasing threats from North Korea, Russia, Iran, and terrorist organizations, we cannot afford to not fulfill this duty.”

“In the first year of the 115th Congress, my colleagues and I in the House have accomplished much to remove many of the job-killing regulations that held our economy back. Most notably, we were able to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul our tax code to make it more fair, less burdensome, and more conducive to economic growth. In just the first few weeks of this landmark legislation being in law, we have already seen over three million Americans receive bonuses and raises, thousands of businesses invest in their workforce and production, and a resurgent American economy.”

“Another major accomplishment of 2017 was the overhaul and improvement of the services we provide to our nation’s military veterans. Between the VA CHOICE Act and the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, we have provided our veterans with greater options and higher quality services when it comes to their healthcare needs.”

“While I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, there is still much to do. We are here to serve you, the American people. We must not shy away from dealing with controversial and important issues. I am confident that a bipartisan and comprehensive solution to DACA and our immigration policy will be found soon. This is an important priority of mine. Additionally, we must seek trade deals that foster international partnerships while also prioritizing the interests of American workers and consumers. The road ahead of America is long and bright. I look forward to continue fighting for the people of California’s 25th District.”