Washington’s top-ranking Republican is urging President Obama to offer solutions to avoid automatic spending cuts during his State of the Union address tonight. Unless Congress and the White House strike a deal by March first, more than a trillion dollars will be cut from both domestic and defense spending over ten years.
In a floor speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is also urged the president to address what he calls the real consequences of Obamacare.
"I could stand here and tell you that Republicans warned about most of these things until we were hoarse. That we saw it all coming and said so: the higher costs, the higher premiums, the tax hikes, the lost jobs, and the potential for millions to lose their plans. The President dismissed all that, and he got his legislative win," said McConnell in a Senate floor speech.
Aides to President Obama say the speech will be heavy on the economy, while also focusing on withdrawal from Afghanistan and the current debate over guns. WKU Public Radio will air live coverage of the State of the Union address and the Republican response starting at 8pm central, 9pm eastern time.
