Alhurra provides Congressional reaction to State of the Union
Alhurra Television provided the most comprehensive coverage and analysis of the State of the Union and the Republican response than any other Arabic-language network. Alhurra’s more than 2 ½ hours of coverage included analysis from American political pundits and reaction from Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) told Alhurra’s Congressional Correspondent Rana Abtar that he thought the President really struck the right note with the American people.
Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) offered, “I like what I hear, but I will be more impressed when I see it in action.”
He went on to address President Obama’s remarks about sanctions towards Iran, “The President has stated rather emphatically that if he gets sanctions, he is going to veto it. It was perhaps the most timid applause line of the speech. There weren’t but maybe a dozen Democrats that applauded that line.”
In regards to the Middle East, Rep. Peter Defazio (D-OR) said, “I think (President Obama) laid out pragmatic steps to rebuild confidence in the United States as being a friend of all the people of the Middle East who want peace, who want just government in that region. It’s not easy.”
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) remarked, “People are very concerned about America’s standing in the world and want to make certain they are focused on freedom and peace.”
Sen. Cardin also addressed the President’s remarks on Syria, “I think the President was very clear in expressing…that we support the Syrian opposition that will oppose extremists. And that we want to see a free Syria, where all the people’s rights are protected.”
Alhurra also interviewed Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Jim Moran (D-VA), Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Keith Ellison (D-MN).
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