Media

Throughout his tumultuous and controversial tenure, President Barack Obama has wasted time, words and energy claiming that America’s challenges are not of his making. Sadly, what America heard during his State of the Union address last week was only more of the same. Instead of offering a plan to move the nation forward, his speech was largely an attempt to defend his unfortunate record of failed policies and hide the larger problems overcoming our country.

KGOU Radio - Biran Hardzinski

Oklahoma's Congressional delegation roundly criticized President Obama's final State of the Union address last night.

Both U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford recorded video responses after the annual message to Congress concluded.

Lankford said he appreciated the president's praise of the military and optimism about curing cancer. But he called the economic growth over the past seven years "sluggish" and "anemic."

The Atlantic - Nora Kelly

When Americans go to the ballot box, they expect the congressional candidates they support to take their interests to the Hill—to fight for the political issues and programs they prefer with an enthusiasm and dedication that’s deeply personal. That doesn’t always happen. But in the last year or so, members of Congress responded to what one member called a “constituent-driven movement” to rally around the National Institutes of Health and the biomedical research it funds.

The Oklahoman - Chris Casteel

Members of Oklahoma's all-Republican congressional delegation dismissed President Barack Obama's final State of the Union speech on Tuesday as another defense of the policies they claim have failed.

The Republican lawmakers criticized the president's economic, military, health care and environmental positions, all of which were showcased in the president's address. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Westville, also blamed the president for the partisan gridlock Obama bemoaned in his remarks.

Last week was one for the history books in Congress because it brought an occasion that was a long time coming. Upon the return of lawmakers for legislative business this year, the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly voted to repeal the president’s healthcare law. At first, that might not sound like anything new coming from House Republicans, given our more than 50 previous attempts to repeal the harmful law. But this time marked the first time the measure was also agreed to by the Senate and finally able to reach the president’s desk.

Huffington Post - Laurie H. Glimcher, MD

Are we at the dawn of a new era in medical research? The 2016 federal spending bill gives us good reason to hope that the answer is yes.

Right in the midst of the holiday season, Congress passed a $1.8 trillion spending measure to fund all federal agencies for the rest of fiscal year 2016. Signed into law by President Obama on December 18, the bill was a promising step toward a continuing investment in the nation's long-term health.