The two U.S. Senators who represent Western North Carolina released their first responses to Pres. Obama's job speech tonight, Sept. 8, before a joint session of Congress: Sen. Richard Burr pledged to "fully consider all of the suggestions the president laid out in his speech." Sen. Kay Hagan noted North Carolina's 10 percent unemployment, adding, “It is imperative that we focus on practical solutions that will gain bipartisan support."

Sen. Richard Burr: “I fully intend to consider all of the suggestions the President laid out in his speech tonight before Congress. Those that achieve the threshold of stability and predictability businesses have insisted they need to invest in job creation will live for a more extensive debate in Congress. Those that are just a repackaged temporary program should be and will be discarded. This is not about how much Washington can spend, but how we create a common-sense partnership with businesses to grow our economy. The best thing Washington can do for our economy is to cut through the red tape that is hampering innovation and reform the punitive tax code that is stifling job growth.”

Sen. Kay Hagan: “With 10 percent unemployment in North Carolina, jobs are priorities one, two and three for me,” said Hagan. “As we tackle the jobs crisis, it is imperative that we focus on practical solutions that will gain bipartisan support and actually reach the President’s desk. Washington-as-usual bickering and political posturing won’t create a single new job, won’t pay the bills for families and seniors trying to make ends meet, and won’t give small business owners the confidence and certainty they need to grow their companies and hire their fellow Americans.

“Tonight, the President spoke about updating our decades-old infrastructure while creating jobs for many unemployed men and women. I agree. An extension of the payroll tax cut would also put money in families’ wallets at a time when every penny counts.

“The President also spoke tonight about one of my top priorities - ensuring our brave veterans have jobs back at home after they spend time fighting to protect us. I will continue to work to pass my Hire a Hero Act that will provide tax credits to employers who hire National Guard and Reservists and make this credit permanent for veterans.

“One idea the President didn’t mention that also warrants consideration is a well-crafted, temporary reduction in the taxes American businesses pay on overseas earnings. That could trigger the flow of trillions of dollars back into our economy when we need it most.

“Bottom line: we need to be bold, creative and bipartisan. And we need to act now. The status quo is unacceptable.

“I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol to enact meaningful job creation legislation.”