UPDATED 8:01 AM EST, February 12, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans intend to cast President Barack Obama's second-term agenda as more "big government" and offer a series of steps to boost economic growth and reduce the federal debt, countering the president's agenda with competing visions for the country.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, previewing the Republican response to Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday, said Republican leaders would pursue policies that would create jobs for middle-class families, tame the federal debt and hold down future spending while providing a check on the president's agenda.
