Following the president’s address to congress North Country politician Elisa Stefanik says she is pleased with some of Donald Trump’s actions while Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand remains more skeptical.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, says she is pleased with steps President Donald Trump is taking to grow the economy and address issues with the Affordable Care Act.

“My top priority in Congress is growing our economy and helping create good paying jobs for North Country families, which is why I am pleased that we are working now to pave the way for comprehensive tax and regulatory reform,” Stefanik said.

Stefanik says businesses across her district tell her all the time about the need to remove burdens Washington imposes on them so that they can grow.

“We also must create a 21st century healthcare system that lowers costs for families and businesses in our district. Concerns with the Affordable Care Act are some of the most frequently raised issues I hear about in my stops and meetings with constituents across the district, and it’s time to replace this law with commonsense reforms to increase access to affordable care and lower costs,” she said.

Stefanik, who is the Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, says she will work with colleagues to reverse the military sequester and invest in readiness capabilities to help tackle threats facing our nation across the globe.

“Additionally, I will work with the administration this year on many of my priority items for our district, including expanding access to broadband, pursuing policies that help North Country farmers, and reforming our VA system to help ensure our heroes get the care they need and deserve.

Stefanik was joined by Shaun Gilliland, town supervisor of Willsboro, as her guest for last night’s address.

“President Trump made it clear in his speech tonight that many of his top priorities are still severely out of touch with our values in New York,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. I wanted to hear him outline a real plan to keep good-paying jobs in New York, but instead we heard more of the same talk about lowering taxes for rich corporations, building an expensive border wall, and gutting the Affordable Care Act that millions of Americans now rely on. These policies will not raise wages or create good-paying jobs for workers in New York.

“President Trump also acknowledged our urgent need for paid leave, and I encourage him to support my bill, the FAMILY Act, which would create a national paid leave plan for every American who works.”