WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement tonight:

"I was pleased the President began his speech with a strong call for a bipartisan grand bargain to continue to address our deficits and debt.

A balanced plan that includes additional revenue, smarter spending cuts and responsible entitlement reform -- and avoids the self-inflcted wounds from sequester -- is a key component of any economic growth agenda.

The President also endorsed a proposal I unveiled last week to work to double our nation's energy productivity by 2030, and I look forward to helping to lead the effort to make smart investments to rebuild our nation's infrastructure.

We will have many opportunities in the weeks and months ahead to work together to strengthen the economic recovery and move our country forward."