Washington, D.C. (Feb. 28, 2017)— Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress:

“In the 40 days since he was sworn in, President Trump has shown that he will be a champion for Wall Street, not the American people.

“By this point in his presidency, President Obama had already signed legislation to help ensure equal pay for women, expand children’s access to health insurance, and bring our economy back from the brink of collapse.

“Instead of building on the progress our nation has made in the last eight years, President Trump is going backwards and returning to the failed trickle-down economic policies of the past. President Trump has made it easier for Wall Street to prey on Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings; appointed people to key posts in his administration who want to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; and declared war on Americans’ right to health care.

“While he is rolling back our progress, the American people are waiting on President Trump to keep his promises. Where is his alternative to the Affordable Care Act that will provide even better and more affordable health care for everyone? Where is his plan to invest in our nation’s infrastructure? Where is his plan to help Americans living in urban areas like Baltimore?

“The President tried to spin these failures as victories tonight, but I see the state of our union every morning as I leave my house. I see that many of my constituents are fearful and are questioning if they belong in America. I see families who are wondering what will happen to their health care. I see seniors who are wondering what will happen to Medicare and Social Security. And I see immigrant children living in fear of raids that will take away their parents.

“It is time for President Trump to start representing all Americans. He must keep his promises to fight for middle-class families and workers, and he must ensure that all Americans—regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or ethnicity—know that they are welcome in this country.”