WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is calling on President Obama to work with Republicans on strategies to create jobs and fix the failings of the health-care law. Wicker’s remarks urge President Obama to use his State of the Union address as an opportunity to outline bipartisan solutions for the American people.

An Excerpt of Senator Wicker’s Remarks:

“The Wall Street Journal reported today that President Obama intends to assert a unilateral agenda at the State of the Union. The article begins, ‘President Obama Tuesday night will seek to shift the public's souring view of his leadership,’ and it goes on to say, ‘Mr. Obama will emphasize his intention to use unilateral presidential authority, bypassing Congress when necessary, to an extent not seen in his previous State of the Union speeches.’ This certainly doesn't sound like Article 2, Section 3, of the Constitution, where the State of the Union is anticipated by our Founders as an opportunity for the President to make recommendations to the Congress.

“It should not be difficult for President Obama to outline a number of national priorities that are ‘necessary and expedient’ to recommend for the Congress to consider. As we enter the sixth year of the Obama Administration, the economy continues to suffer from anemic growth and chronically high unemployment. Family poverty statistics are at record-high levels. Small businesses – our country’s chief job creators – are struggling to pay for government mandates and keep Americans at work. In essence, a lasting recovery is still nowhere in sight.

“A major concern for Americans is the President’s health-care law. Individuals, families, businesses, and investors can plainly see that the law is plagued with problems. Hardly a day goes by without hearing our citizens back home who are frustrated and worried about how the law impacts them. Instead of more affordable and more accessible health care, families in my state and across the country are dealing with the backlash of canceled insurance policies, higher premiums, and fewer choices.

“At this point, Americans are right to be doubtful of more promises.  They want to see results.  They want to see real health-care reform. They want to see job-creating strategies that will work.

“Americans need more than phraseology from the President. Without leadership and accountability, the public is right to lack confidence that the President’s big-government approach can move us forward or that the President wants to work with Congress toward bipartisan solutions.

“As the country’s chief executive, the President should start a dialogue in his State of the Union speech tomorrow night that focuses on ways to empower Americans to create jobs and opportunities.  We have seen how a big-government approach with more burdensome regulations and more bureaucratic intrusions does not work.

“The State of the Union offers the President an opportunity to outline issues where he is willing to work with Republicans in a bipartisan way.  We should be talking about market-driven strategies to reform health care. We should be talking about the Keystone XL pipeline and how to advance America’s rich energy potential – the most abundant in the world.  Keystone XL would be a jobs win for the Obama Administration and yet the President cannot bring himself to come forward on this bipartisan idea.

“The best welfare program is a jobs program. The best unemployment program is one that creates jobs for Americans. Americans are ready to go to work. Rather than focus on the politics of jealousy and income inequality, the President should demonstrate leadership and cooperation.  In a divided government, both are necessary to bring about the enduring economic recovery that this country needs.”