The Economy

Marsha Blackburn believes that free markets are the best markets. She knows that the Federal Government cannot intervene in the market without fault. The surest path to American economic growth is through small, limited government that controls spending, promotes growth, and does not overburden its citizens with taxes.

Congressman Blackburn knows that the current credit crisis is ultimately a result of the Government’s over intervention in the economy- forcing banks and homeowners into ill advised mortgages. That’s why she voted against the “bailout bill.” Expanding the national debt and nationalizing a significant portion of the banking industry is unlikely to foster a healthy economy in the long term.

Marsha Blackburn works every day to foster the economic growth in Tennessee. Her work on behalf of everyone from the creative communities in Memphis and Nashville to farmers across the 7th District has resulted in significant steps forward for Tennesseans.


The Blackburn Record: 2008

• Consumer Freedom of Choice in Cable Act: Often called the “70/70 Repeal Act” Congressman Blackburn’s bill (H.R. 4307) was introduced to stop the Federal Communications Commission from changing its rules to establish an a la carte programming mandate unilaterally. The FCC decision would potentially lead to thousands of job losses in Tennessee’s creative community. The mere introduction of H.R. 4307 caused the FCC to abandon its plan, which saved jobs in the 7th District.
  
• Webmaster Settlement Act of 2008: Congressman Blackburn and her colleagues introduced this bill to allow webcasters and other members of the recording industry to continue negotiating a private sector solution to a royalty rate structure announced by the Copyright Royalty Board in 2007. This legislation passed and is now law.
• Opposition to Broadcaster Programming Mandate: In an April 14th letter to the Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Congressman Blackburn laid out her opposition to the agency’s proposal to amend “localism” standards, which would dictate government-created programming mandates to Tennessee broadcasters. Blackburn was joined in her opposition by 126 of her colleagues. Following receipt of the letter- which communicated bi-partisan opposition to the plan- the FCC abandoned its proposal.
• Defending Tobacco Farmers: Congressman Blackburn fought to protect Tennessee’s tobacco farmers from intrusive regulation. Her amendment to H.R. 1108 helped to stop a proposal that would have given the FDA oversight of tobacco growing, cultivation and curing of raw tobacco. While her amendment was ultimately withdrawn, Chairman Dingell agreed to change H.R. 1108 to protect farmers.