The following were the responses of Mid-Hudson federal representative to President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress

on Thursday evening. Rep. Chris Gibson did not issue a response: Hayworth Responds to Presidents Address to Congress (WASHINGTON) Rep. Nan Hayworth, M.D. (R-NY) issued the following statement today in response to President Obamas evening address before a joint session of Congress: In his speech tonight the President outlined some areas on which, its true, Republicans and Democrats can agree, specifically certain types of tax breaks and regulatory relief. However, he has also threatened to raise taxes. Our job creators need reassurance that the long-term climate in our country will allow them to spend and invest wisely in their businesses and communities. They will need much stronger evidence that our government is going to provide real structural tax reform, and that we will lift literally trillions of dollars of regulatory burdens, in order to grow our economy sufficiently to create 14 million new jobs. President Obama has now offered his proposal, and I am committed to working with our House majority to reach a consensus that will truly allow our economy to be strong and healthy for the long term, and that will put every American who needs a job back to work as quickly as possible. XXXXXX Hinchey Statement on President's Jobs Speech Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) tonight released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's speech on job creation. "President Obama has laid out a comprehensive plan to create the jobs our country desperately needs right now, and I support many of the ideas he put forward. After months of distracting debate and political fights in Washington over the debt ceiling, the American people are ready to see us get back to the work of putting people back to work. "Most New Yorkers are frustrated by the slow pace of recovery that has occurred since the Wall Street driven economic meltdown that occurred in 2008, and last month's jobs report was a sobering reminder about the challenges we face. The small business owners, middle class families and farmers I talk to throughout New York know that doing nothing and hoping things gets better is simply not an option. "I agree with the president that it is time to invest in rebuilding our nation's infrastructure. With 20 percent of American construction workers out of work and more than 10 percent of our bridges found to be structurally deficient, I know we can solve both problems with the right investments. We should also make substantial investments in alternative energy that can put people back to work right now by creating green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. "I also believe that it's time to focus on the number one problem facing businesses today. It isn't health care expenses, regulations or taxes - it's the lack of demand in our economy that has resulted from a decline in middle-class purchasing power. While those at the top continue to prosper, average Americans continue to see paychecks that seem smaller and smaller. The income gap in our country is now the largest it has been since the Great Depression, and today the top one percent of the population controls a third of our country's wealth. "To turn things around, we've got to rebuild our economy so that it works for all Americans - not just the Wall Street bankers and corporate titans. That's why I've introduced legislation to crack down on oil price speculation - so that families can afford to fill up their tanks again. It's also why I've worked to even out the tax code so that cops, teachers, and carpenters no longer pay higher tax rates than millionaire CEOs.

"It's good news to hear that the President Obama is working to refocus our efforts on job creation. Many of the ideas he has put forward would be positive for the country and have received bi-partisan support in the past. I am hopeful that those of us in Congress can come together and get some of these things done. Americans are expecting us to work together and find common ground and the proposal put forward to night is a good place to start." U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) released the following statement Thursday night following President Obamas joint address to Congress on jobs: XXXXXX This was a powerful message on jobs, aimed not at the lawmakers in the room, but at the American people. The Presidents plan is just what our economy needs, and it will move the country to appeal to its elected representatives to take action on jobs and get the economy moving again. --U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer XXXXXX September 8, 2011 Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement tonight after President Obama addressed the nation on proposals to create jobs. Tonight was a call to action from the President. Congress must rally around bold new ideas that encourage businesses to hire Americans who are ready to work, and ideas that unlock the full potential of American innovation, entrepreneurship and hard work. Ive traveled throughout New York State this summer, hearing from small business owners and everyday families. I can tell you, they want Democrats and Republicans to work together to once and for all address this crisis, and create new jobs. They are tired of the same old political fights, and with good reason. Old fights wont solve new problems. Americans deserve better from Congress. If were going to create new jobs and a thriving middle class that is prepared for the new economy, we cant think small. We need big ideas met with good faith and common purpose from both parties in Congress.