Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) released this statement following President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress this evening:

“I deeply appreciate the President’s address to Congress this evening. There is no mistaking the serious challenges facing our country – both on the domestic front and internationally as we continue to tackle a troubled economy and a continual threat of terrorism.

“All along, I, and my House Republican colleagues, have expressed our desire to work with the President. Reducing the deficit and controlling spending are areas we are firmly committed to working on with the President. However, we cannot ignore the impact that raising taxes and significant cuts to our Armed Forces will have on both our economy and national security.

“Roughly 64 percent of those who are scheduled for a tax increase are small businesses.  Job creation and growth will be severely stressed if we continue to ask our small business owners to bear an even greater burden to pay more in taxes during this tough economic time.

“I remain confident and look forward to working with the President to get our economy back on track.”