With continually high unemployment and an uncertain economic future, it is unfathomable that the Democrat Majority in Congress has yet to move forward with a proven job creator and economic stimulus – passing a free trade agreement (FTA).  The United States currently has FTAs pending with three countries: Panama, Colombia, and Korea.  All three of these agreements deserve to be considered and approved by Congress, but the Korea FTA especially has the potential to jump-start economic growth.

The Korea FTA is the largest of the three agreements and would have the greatest effect on the American economy.  The agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors – which all have a large presence in Texas – stand to gain enormously from this agreement.  Passing the Korea FTA would eliminate trade barriers and expand the market for exporters in the United States – meaning more jobs for American workers. 

Korea is already the United States’ seventh largest trading partner and fifth largest market for US agriculture products.  Once the agreement is implemented, tariffs on agricultural products made in Texas, like wheat, corn, and cotton, will be eliminated immediately.  A large portion of chemical products and manufactured goods will also enter Korea duty free; the rest will be phased out over the next few years.  The service sector would benefit from greater regulatory transparency and fair treatment of US companies.  Overall, the US International Trade Commission estimates that the Korea FTA would increase the export of goods to Korea from the United States by $10 billion.  Now more than ever, our country needs this kind of growth. 

As the Democrat-controlled Congress stalls its discussion on trade, other countries and the European Union are moving forward on their own trade agreements with Korea.  If the United States does not act quickly, we run the risk of being crowded out of the Korean market by other foreign companies.  Swift passage of this agreement is vital to our recovery, and the Majority should bring it to the floor of the House of Representatives for an immediate vote. 

While the American people are struggling to find employment and pay their mortgages, federal bureaucrats seem to be doing quite well.  The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats are growing the government at an alarming rate – meaning more jobs in the Washington, DC area.  Since January 2009, jobs with the federal government have increased by 405,000.  Meanwhile, 3.3 million private sector jobs have been lost back home.

The Democrats’ solution to rising unemployment has been to create new government programs that require more federal regulators and government bureaucrats.  But paying for these new programs means taxing hardworking Americans and American businesses to pay for the new spending.  So it’s not surprising that there is a disconnect between Washington, DC and the rest of the country when it comes to the economy.  A new Politico poll released this week highlighted the difference.  According to the poll, about 45% of “ Washington elites” believe the country is moving in the right direction.  But only 25% of the general population shares that sentiment.

Americans want lower taxes and less burdensome regulations – not to pad the pockets of government bureaucrats.  Congress should be pursuing policies that grow the economy, strengthen businesses, and create jobs in the private sector.

Yesterday, Congress passed the conference report to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 2194).  I was a cosponsor of this legislation and voted in favor the bill when it passed the House on December 15, 2009, and again last night. 

The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel and expressed his hatred for the United States.  Iran truly is a threat to the Middle East and the world.

The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act imposes much needed sanctions on Iran – a country that continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community.  The United States and like-minded allies must do everything possible to prevent Iran from acquiring the technology necessary for a weapon. 

H.R. 2194 expands sanctions against companies that do business with Iran.  This includes penalties against companies that sell refined petroleum products to the country.  Although Iran has vast oil reserves, it lacks refining capacity and must import gasoline.  Limiting access to fuel would have a significant impact on the Iranian economy.

The legislation is a step in the right direction, but I am disappointed that the final version of the bill was not stronger.  For example, the legislation gives the President power to waive sanctions under certain circumstances.  It is my hope that President Obama and his Administration will stand up to those who choose to do business with Iran by strictly enforcing these sanctions and refraining from using his waiver power.

The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been devastating, and BP should be held fully accountable for the damage it has caused to the environment and to the Gulf Coast economy. The accident has threatened the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Americans in the fishing and tourism industries.

However, President Obama’s six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf, announced on May 27th, 2010, will further weaken the Gulf’s vulnerable economy which relies heavily on the oil and gas industry. Thirty-three rigs, which each employ between 800 and 1400 people, that were scheduled to drill in the Gulf Coast have been redirected to other projects in Brazil and Africa. The jobs have gone with them.

This moratorium will not clean up the spill, plug the leak, or reduce our dependence on foreign oil. But it will result in greater job loss in the Gulf States. The President should reconsider this ban on new drilling and bring jobs back to the Gulf.

The Club for Growth has released its congressional scorecard of votes in 2009, and I am pleased to have earned the Defender of Economic Freedom award, scoring 98% for my record of supporting pro-growth economic policies in Congress.

Club for Growth bases the rating on a comprehensive examination of each lawmaker’s record on pro-growth policies – including legislative actions to lower marginal income tax rates, cut and limit government spending, expand free trade, promote school choice, and more.

As you may know, Club for Growth is a national organization representing thousands of Americans who believe that prosperity and opportunity through economic freedom. Club for Growth activities include legislative involvement, issue advocacy, research, training, and educational programs. Visit the Club for Growth website for more information.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is once again advancing a Democrat-supported job-killing agenda. Despite an appeals court decision that ruled the FCC did not have the authority to expand its regulatory reach over broadband, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has decided to move forward with a plan anyway.

Chairman Genachowski’s proposal, titled “Third Way,” would side-step the ruling by treating broadband as a public utility—giving the FCC the power to impose regulations on the Internet. I am deeply troubled by this decision because it is a way for the FCC to impose so-called “net neutrality.” Net neutrality would usurp power from the private sector telecommunication industries—which must invest heavily in broadband infrastructure—and take away their ability to control their own networks.

I oppose net neutrality because it would stifle innovation, reduce incentives for investment, and increase costs for consumers. If there is a debate to be had on net neutrality, it should take place on the floor of the House of Representatives—not unilaterally imposed by bureaucrats at the FCC.

As Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to mull legislative gimmicks to force the Senate healthcare bill down the American people’s throats, voters – and editorial boards – are piping up in protest.

Today, the Washington Post Editorial Board called for openness in the legislative process, questioning Democrats’ attempts to hide their actions:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Monday that she is leaning toward a parliamentary maneuver under which the House would vote on a package of changes to the Senate-approved reform bill, and the underlying Senate bill would then be "deemed" to have passed, even though the House had never voted on it. That may help some House members dodge a politically difficult decision, but it strikes us as a dodgy way to reform the health-care system. Democrats who vote for the package will be tagged with supporting the Senate bill in any event. Why not be straightforward about it? (Editorial Board, “Health-reform vote deserves a reasonable process,” The Washington Post, 03/16/10).

Click Here to View Full Editorial.

The basic principles of democracy call for an up or down vote on a bill of this magnitude. The Majority should be honest and open about what they plan to do to every American’s healthcare. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on healthcare: “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.” (March 9, 2010)

Click Here to View Video

Apparently, Speaker Pelosi doesn’t want the American people to know what is in the final health care bill until after Congress passes it.

Believing that she knows better than the American people, Speaker Pelosi intends to force through Congress a government-takeover of healthcare that the American people have already soundly rejected.

I believe that the Democrat Majority is intentionally ignoring the voices of the American people and abusing legislative powers to achieve their own radical agenda.

This is unacceptable, and I join millions of Americans in demanding transparency and accountability in Congress. Every American has the right to know exactly what Congress plans to do with their healthcare before a bill passes. Members of Congress and Americans alike should have the opportunity to READ THE BILL before a vote.

I will continue demanding transparency in Congress for the American people and fighting to stop the Democrat Majority’s government-run healthcare agenda.