Oklahoma Lawmakers Respond To President's Job Speech

Emory Bryan, News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's members of Congress didn't like much of what they heard from the President Thursday night.

Even the state's lone democrat in congress wanted to hear more about tax reform than the new spending the president outlined tonight.

Senator Tom Coburn had a front row seat for the President's speech and gave him a big hug after it was over.

Read Tom Coburn's Response

Before the speech he predicted it would focus on new spending, instead of cutting waste in government.

"Pass this jobs bill and we can begin to restore America," the President told Congress.

Oklahoma's entire even member congressional delegation attended the speech - less one. The state's only democrat, Dan Boren, wasn't in Washington for the Joint Session.

Afterward he said he agrees with some of the President's proposals.

"We need to take aggressive action to create jobs and stabilize the economy. Tax reforms like repatriation, a capital gains tax holiday, and passing the Natural Gas Act are just a few ideas that should be considered," Boren said in a statement.

The state's republicans were not cheering the President's plan for what they thought sounded too much like another stimulus package.

"I think the president gives a great speech. He's one of the best teleprompter speakers I've ever seen. But he came up with proposals for spending again. He's a great politician, but not a good mathematician," said Republican Representative John Sullivan.

Read John Sullivan's Response

"And everything in this bill will be paid for, everything," the President said.

That promise didn't ring true for Oklahoma Republican Senator Jim Inhofe.

"It sounded real good. Everybody is nodding and wondering how much of that money they're going to get and there's no source of revenue. He's very skilled at saying the same thing over and over again, It's paid for, it's paid for. It's not paid for," Inhofe said.

Read Jim Inhofe's Response

Senator Coburn has criticized the President's call to end tax breaks for oil companies while creating tax credits for renewable energy.

Coburn said it's the kind fundamental tax reform that would stimulate economic growth.