January 20, 1999
Web posted at: 12:13 a.m. EDT (0013 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two House Republicans considered to be rising stars within the party delivered the GOP response to President Clinton's State of the Union address Tuesday night.

Rep. Jennifer Dunn of Washington focused on tax relief and Social Security reform, while Rep. Steve Largent of Oklahoma discussed education and national defense.

Smiling broadly, the two appeared together on a balcony with the white-domed Capitol looming in the darkened background.

Dunn, one of the most prominent GOP women in the House, promised that Republicans would concentrate on "practical matters" and not let the impeachment trial of Clinton wreak havoc on the nation.

Dunn

"Our country is not in crisis; there are no tanks in the streets," Dunn said. "No matter what the outcome of the president's situation, life in America will go on. Our lives will continue to be filled with practical matters, not constitutional ones."

Dunn echoed Republican frustrations that Clinton's budget proposal included no income tax cuts. She argued that there is enough money in the budget surplus to save Social Security and allow for a 10 percent across-the-board cut in income tax.

She also called for elimination of the "marriage penalty" tax and a cut in death taxes "so that families don't have the sell their businesses and farms when Mom and Dad die."

Dunn dedicated the second part of her presentation to Social Security.

"We must keep our contract with our senior citizens who depend on Social Security for part or all of their retirement income. This nation made that promise long ago, and we will keep that promise," she said.

She criticized Clinton's Social Security plan to establish 401(k)-style Universal Savings Accounts for giving "government more control of your income."

Dunn said that Republicans wanted to focus on giving Americans the choice of investing some of their Social Security dollars into private retirement accounts.

The second half of the GOP response was delivered by Rep. Largent, whose unsuccessful attempt to topple House Majority Leader Richard Armey of Texas in November gained him popularity.

Largent

Largent sounded solid Republic themes, such as less government, free enterprise and a stronger national defense while touching on themes popular among social conservatives.

"We must never become complacent in what is still a dangerous world," said Largent, calling for a "viable missile defense system" to protect the United States.

Largent called for more local control over education "to ensure that 90 cents of every federal education dollar goes directly to the classroom ... not the bureaucrats."

He also proposed a new tax code to replace the current Internal Revenue Service laws, which he called "8,000 pages of confusion, contradiction and confiscation."

Largent also briefly mentioned the hotly debated issue of partial-birth abortions and other cornerstone issues among social conservatives.

"Both houses will urge the president to end the dreadful and unwarranted practice of partial-birth abortion. We must uphold the sanctity of life amidst the tragedies of abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide," he said.

Tuesday January 19, 1999

• Clinton ignores impeachment, calls for Social Security reform
• In State of Union response, GOP promises to stick to 'practical matters'
• Social Security tops Clinton State of Union address
• Clinton: 'State of our union is strong'
• Transcript: Clinton's State of the Union speech
• Transcript: Republican response to the State of the Union address
• Poll: Most State of the Union viewers liked the speech
• White House lawyer derides impeachment case as weak
• White House drops plans to use House Democrats in defense
• Senate Dems: Defense presentation was 'powerful'
• Transcript: White House Counsel Ruff's opening statement
• Gov. Bush begins second term in Texas
• Supreme Court decisions on death, long-distance and Ticketmaster
• Congressional clash looms on taxes, Social Security
• Ventura's appointment to wildlife post withdraws under pressure
• Clinton legal team contrasts with House prosecutors
• With crime down and economy up, America's mood is cheery
• Jones' team says old lawyers abandoned her, should get nothing
• Dunn, Largent to give GOP response to Clinton speech
• Witness in Willey case pleads innocent to making up story
• Sosa, activists to attend State of Union
• Mortgage company head says Clinton announcement a surprise

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