National Urban League Statement on President Trump’s Address to Congress

National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial released the following statement on President Trump’s address to Congress:

“Last night’s speech was long on rhetoric, but severely short on specifics.  Forty days into the Trump Administration and Americans are no clearer on the president’s plan to create jobs, invest in infrastructure, improve the Affordable Care Act, better our public education system, or any other direct initiative that would economically benefit and stabilize black and brown communities.

“As they say, a goal without a plan is just a wish.  We at the National Urban League call on President Trump to make good on his wish list for America by defining how his administration will achieve the goals of his tenure.

“We urge this administration to produce a comprehensive jobs and infrastructure proposal that specifically includes urban-based, minority-owned small businesses; job training for African Americans, urban and youth workers; and funding for the development of small community facilities along with large transportation and water projects.

“Also central to improving the lives of African Americans are commitments to safeguard public education from failed experiments like school vouchers and to maintain the existing protections of Obamacare while also expanding it to cover more Americans.

“As the nation’s premiere civil rights organization dedicated to the economic progress of underserved communities, we cannot tolerate another 40 days much less another four years of policy ambiguity.  We are ready to work with the president to advance our ideas on how infrastructure can lift urban communities.

“The time has come for President Trump to lead this nation by providing a specific and targeted agenda, as his predecessors have done, within the first 100 days of his administration.”