Democrats praised the speech, as expected, but some Republicans also had some compliments.
"I appreciated the president's sentiment, and clearly his attitude, and his willingness to work with folks on both sides of the aisle, but I think -- like most Americans --I've heard it before," said U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam- R, who represents the west suburbs.
"I thought it was inspiring, I thought it was exactly the combination of things we need to do to make our country as competitive and prosperous for all Americans, and he stressed that," said U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Chicago and the north suburbs.
"Tonight, when he used the term invest, it was really a key word for spending. On November 2, when Americans sent us here, it was with one message, which was, get your fiscal house in order, and we're talking about spending even more money," said U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger -R of the south and southwest suburbs.
Sen. Mark Kirk pointed out the president's address highlighted more ways to spend tax dollars than ways to cut the budget. He says he hopes Republicans will support the president's efforts to consolidate the federal government and end congressional earmarks.
