Madam President, last night, just down the hall from this Chamber, my colleagues and I assembled with our friends in the House of Representatives to take part in a tradition as old as our Republic. This is more than just a Presidential address. It is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, and it is one of the great rituals of modern democracy, the practice of bringing the major officers of our government together to assess our national priorities. Last night, President Obama laid out a bold vision for the years ahead, and a renewed commitment to the uniquely American ideals that make this country great. So today, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss a few of the things we heard in yesterday's speech, and how our agenda will benefit the people of Illinois. I am glad the President recognizes that this is not a time to change our priorities it is a time to recommit ourselves to the values and the ideas that the American people voted for in 2008. The mandate for better policy could not have been more clear. Voters want us to focus on job creation. They want us to help small businesses, repair our national economy, and invest in clean energy. They want us to pass real health care reform, reduce the deficit, and keep corporate money separate from politics. Under President Obama's leadership, my colleagues and I have already made significant progress on a number of these issues.…
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