Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman released the following statement after President Obama's speech about the struggle to gain political and economic reforms in the Middle East and North Africa:

"President Obama was clear that the United States will support the efforts of the people in the Middle East and North Africa who are working to gain the rights that we as Americans have:  basic freedoms, equality, and the right to self-governance. He reaffirmed that the United States will stand by those people who are willing to take the risks needed to undertake win these reforms.

"And I agree with the President that even countries who are U.S. allies cannot use violence and mass arrests to stop their people from peacefully protesting."