Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address:

“The speech we heard tonight was not the speech the American people were looking for. Today, we awoke to news of a terrorist attack in Turkey targeting German tourists and ended the day with news of U.S. sailors taken into custody by Iran. What the American people want is a plan to defeat the threat posed by radical Islamic terror and confront the bellicose actions of rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea. Instead, we heard a victory lap.

“The American people want leadership, not rhetoric. It is no wonder 70% of Americans believe our nation is headed in the wrong direction. After seven years, it is clear our nation is in need of new ideas and new leadership. Throughout his final year in office, House Republicans will paint a clear contrast to the failed policies of President Obama. We will outline a governing vision aimed at empowering the American people and highlighting American exceptionalism at home and abroad.”