WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) released the following statement  in response to President Barack Obama’s second State of the Union address:

“Ohioans, and all Americans, were hoping to hear concrete plans and ideas on how we can get our economy going again, get people back to work, and deal with our record deficits.  We didn’t hear that tonight.  We did hear some encouraging words, and I will commit to working with the Administration and members of Congress to put these words into action.

“For instance, I was pleased to hear President Obama’s words regarding getting spending under control in the future.  We heard a similar pledge last year, and the spending continued.  I hope this year it will be different. America needs leadership to get our fiscal house in order and stop these record deficits.

“I enjoyed sitting with Republicans and Democrats from the Ohio delegation, but much more important than this symbolic gesture will be the willingness on the part of the Administration and Members of Congress to actually sit down and find common ground on tough issues like spending, taxes and regulations to help get Ohio and our nation back on track.

“Ultimately, the American people will react not to President Obama’s words, but to his actions and how he follows through on the promises made tonight.  If he follows through and is willing to make the tough choices necessary to get our economy moving and address the mounting debt and deficit, I think he’ll find Republicans willing to work with him.”