WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., issued this statement after President Donald Trump concluded his first State of the Union address:

“During President Trump’s first year in office, we have delivered massive tax cuts, confirmed a record number of conservative judges to the bench, and cut billions of dollars’ worth of job-killing red tape. These policies have sparked a historic rally on Wall Street and on Main Street, raised wages for workers, and cut unemployment rates to near historic lows. But as the President correctly noted tonight, much more work lies ahead.

“I share the President’s goal of passing an infrastructure plan to address the backlog of infrastructure projects waiting to be completed. Rebuilding our nation’s highways, bridges, and ports is critical to maintaining economic gains and to preparing for the future. The President also addressed the security situation along our southern border and other immigration reforms that I support, such as stopping chain migration and ending the diversity visa lottery program.

“Also, we have made tremendous progress in the past year to rebuild our military. Now is not the time to let up. The House and Senate need to negotiate appropriations caps for the rest of this year and all of next year. I agree with Defense Secretary Mattis and other commanders that this should be done immediately, mirroring the spending levels outlined in the most recent National Defense Authorization Act.”