Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) got the chance to reach a nationwide audience over the Labor Day weekend as he was chosen to give the weekly Republican address.

“We are a nation that builds things. From skyscrapers to smart-phone apps, we live in a land where anyone can create, innovate, and pursue their American Dream,” Fitzpatrick stated. “But as I’ve traveled throughout my district this summer – visiting 100 local businesses in 100 days to speak with workers and business owners – it’s easy to sense that Americans are frustrated. Nearly five years into the Obama presidency, the workers who drive our economy see nothing but roadblocks coming out of Washington.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve heard a lot these last few weeks, it’s that people want Congress to focus on expanding opportunity instead of expanding the government,” Rep. Fitzpatrick continued. “I, along with Congressional Republicans, have a plan to put Americans back in the driver’s seat. We want to make sure that the workers we’re celebrating this weekend can keep doing what they do best: Building, creating, and preserving the American Dream for future generations.”

The opposition party’s address has traditionally followed the President’s weekly address. While the speech rarely makes news or reaches many voters, it is still considered a prestigious assignment to be chosen by one’s party. The Reagan Administration started this tradition in 1982 with weekly radio addresses. In 2009, the exercise was expanded to online video by the Obama Administration.

The text and audio of the address is available to view and download online at speaker.gov.