Bobby Jindal in 2009 address to joint session of Congress
On Education:
Reinvented New Orleans with private/parochial scholarships
We need to make sure every child in America gets the best possible education. After Katrina, we reinvented the New Orleans school system, opening dozens of new charter schools, and creating a new scholarship program that is giving parents the chance
to send their children to private or parochial schools of their choice. We believe that, with the proper education, the children of America can do anything. And it shouldn't take a devastating storm to bring this kind of innovation to education.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
On Energy & Oil:
More renewables; more nuclear power, more drilling
We need urgent action to keep energy prices down. All of us remember what it felt like to pay $4 at the pump and unless we act now, those prices will return. To stop that from happening, we need to increase conservation, increase energy efficiency,
increase the use of alternative and renewable fuels, increase our use of nuclear power, and increase drilling for oil and gas here at home. We believe that if we unleash the innovative spirit of our citizens, we can achieve energy independence.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
On Government Reform:
Strength of America is not in government but in our citizens
Let me tell you a story. During Katrina, I visited Sheriff Harry Lee, a Democrat and a good friend of mine. He was yelling into the phone: "Well, I'm the Sheriff and if you don't like it you can come and arrest me!" He told me that he had put out a call
for volunteers to come with their boats to rescue people who were trapped on their rooftops by the floodwaters. The boats were all lined up ready to go, when some bureaucrat showed up and told them they couldn't go out on the water unless they had proof
of insurance and registration. I told him, "Sheriff, that's ridiculous." And before I knew it, he was yelling into the phone: "Congressman Jindal is here, and he says you can come and arrest him too!" Harry just told the boaters to ignore the
bureaucrats and go start rescuing people.There is a lesson in this experience: The strength of America is not found in our government. It is found in the compassionate hearts and the enterprising spirit of our citizens.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
On Health Care:
Universal access, but not government-run
Republicans believe in a simple principle: No American should have to worry about losing their health coverage--period. We stand for universal access to affordable health care coverage. What we oppose is universal government-run health care.
Health care decisions should be made by doctors and patients, not by government bureaucrats. If we put aside partisan politics and work together, we can make our system of private medicine affordable and accessible for every one of our citizens.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
On Homeland Security:
Now is no time to cut funding for our troops
We must remember for all our troubles at home, dangerous enemies still seek our destruction. Now is no time to dismantle the defenses that have protected this country for hundreds of years, or make deep cuts in funding for our troops.
America's fighting men and women can do anything. If we give them the resources they need, they will stay on the offensive, defeat our enemies, and protect us from harm.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
On Principles & Values:
Mother was pregnant with him when parents arrived from India
Regardless of party, all Americans are moved by the president's personal story--the son of an American mother and a Kenyan father, who grew up to become leader of the free world. Like the president's father, my own parents came to this country from a
distant land. When they arrived in Baton Rouge, my mother was already 4-months pregnant. I was what folks in the insurance industry now call a "pre-existing condition." To find work, my dad picked up the yellow pages and started calling local businesses.
Even after landing a job, he could still not afford to pay for my delivery, so he worked out an installment plan with the doctor. Fortunately for me, he never missed a payment.As I grew up, my mom & dad taught me the values that attracted them to this
country, and they instilled in me an immigrant's wonder at the greatness of America. As a child, my dad would tell me: "Bobby, Americans can do anything." I still believe that to this day: When we pull together, there is no challenge we can't overcome.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
On Tax Reform:
Create jobs by lowering tax rates for families & business
To solve our current problems, Washington must lead. But the way to lead is not to raise taxes and not to just put more money and power in hands of Washington politicians. The way to lead is by empowering you, the American people.That is why
Republicans put forward plans to create jobs by lowering income tax rates for working families, cutting taxes for small businesses, strengthening incentives for businesses to invest in new equipment and hire new workers, and stabilizing home values
by creating a new tax credit for home-buyers. These plans would cost less and create more jobs.
But Democratic leaders in Congress--they rejected this approach.
Instead of trusting us to make wise decisions with our own money, they passed the largest government spending bill in history, with a price tag of more than $1 trillion with interest.
Source: GOP response to the 2009 State of the Union address
Feb 24, 2009
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2019