WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement responding to Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress.

“Tonight’s speech was a well-scripted, well-rehearsed presentation. But it was also exactly what we know to expect from Donald Trump: the bluster never stops, and the facts never matter. Tonight’s speech was no different. Trump used the stature of our nation’s most prestigious venue to continue vilifying immigrants and generalizing America’s needs without offering content.

“If anything, Americans hoping for details from their new president were left with more questions than answers. Blatant omissions defined tonight’s speech far more than the few details it offered. What is Trump’s plan for future of public education now that the Department is run by someone who dedicated her career to ending its existence? The same should be asked about the Environmental Protection Agency now that it’s run by an oil industry hack. And where are the details on replacing the Affordable Care Act? Or even some simple accounting in an actual budget? Americans got no answers to these questions tonight.

“Here is what we do know: Trump can’t pass his own legislation – he needs Congressional Republicans to carry out his policies. They will be responsible for any reckless policies they rubberstamp, and in many cases, equally culpable in their creation. The American people have a safeguard against the worst intentions of this administration: it is to hold their Congressional leaders accountable.”

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