U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas says he's intrigued by something President Obama mentioned in his speech to Congress Tuesday night, a line-by-line review of federal spending. Pryor welcomed the news that, before the review is even complete, the president's spending monitors had already found over $2 trillion over a 10-year period that they can cut out.
Pryor said he was looking forward to the result of the complete review.
Arkansans in Congress responded positively to Obama's speech, his first address to the lawmakers since he took office Jan. 20.
Congressman John Boozman, the lone Republican in the state's six-member delegation, echoed Obama's call for nonpartisan action to restore the health of the nation's economy despite major problems. Boozman, who represents the 3rd District in west Arkansas, said the nation can overcome those hurdles by working together to strengthen the economy, protect and create jobs and secure retirement savings.
Rep. Marion Berry, who represents the 1st District in east Arkansas, said Obama showed America the hard choices that must be made to get back on the path toward fiscal responsibility.
Rep. Mike Ross, elected from the 4th District in south Arkansas, praised some of the themes he heard in Obama's speech. He said it was refreshing to hear Obama talk about fiscal responsibility and returning accountability and transparency to our government.
Pryor said he was also pleased to hear Obama pledge there would be no tax increases for families with annual incomes of $250,000 or less. As Pryor put it, quote, "That covers a vast majority of Arkansans."
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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