President Roosevelt's innovative series of programs, pegged the "New Deal," fundamentally changed the role of our federal government. Through the Fair Labor Standards Act, he created the minimum wage, and put an end to the abusive practices of child labor. The New Deal also produced our nation's pension system for retirees, known as Social Security. And President Roosevelt also put 8 million Americans back to work through his WPA program by creating jobs that repaired schools and hospitals and constructed roads and bridges.

I believe we can learn a lot from history. During a time when millions of Americans were out of work, President Roosevelt created jobs that not only put America back to work, but jobs that produced vast improvements to our country's infrastructure.

I tried to apply this same principle last year by offering an amendment to the President's tax cut that would have invested $1 billion in road construction needs for every congressional district in America. My plan would have created 18 million new jobs -- 42,000 new jobs in each of the 435 congressional districts!

Unfortunately the current leadership discarded my highway bill. This is disappointing, because during a time when 9 million Americans are out of work, my bill would have created much-needed jobs, while also providing the resources for the construction of Fourth district road projects, such as I-49, I-69, I-530, and highway 167.

It's all about priorities. At a time when our nation is at war, our current Administration wants to enact $1.1 trillion in tax cuts -- $521 billion of which they want to borrow from the Social Security Trust Fund.

And to give further perspective to our country's economic state - the first $2,559 you pay in income taxes each year doesn't go toward education or health care initiatives, but instead, goes toward paying down the interest on our national debt!

The people I represent in Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District didn't send me to Washington to play politics - they sent me up here to do what's right. And I will continue to push for legislation that creates jobs and improves our economy, and fight to restore fiscal responsibility to our nation's government.