• $1,161,000,000,000:  The total cost of the Democrats “stimulus.”  The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the cost of the bill will reach $814 billion and interest on the debt for the bill will be at least $347 billion.

• 9.6%:  The unemployment rate for the month of August 2010.

• 283,000:  The number of jobs lost in June, July and August 2010.

• 3,582,000:  The number of gross jobs lost since the “stimulus” was signed into law.

• 6,249,000:  The number of Americans unemployed and searching for work for more than 27 weeks.

• 45.4%:  The percentage of people between the ages of 16 and 24 years old with a job.  Prior to the stimulus, employment among 16 to 24 year olds had never slipped below 47.5 percent.

As you know, I was one of only 17 Members of Congress to vote against both this stimulus and every other stimulus and bailout under the Bush and Obama Administrations because I believed that they would not work.

As I have said from the beginning, real economic growth comes from generating income and wealth for American families, and income and wealth come from increasing commerce and growing jobs. I believe we need to focus on solutions that provide more opportunities to small businesses, so that they can begin to create more jobs and lead us back on the path to economic recovery.

I want to hear your thoughts – what do you think is the best way to create jobs for Americans?

Job-Killing Principles

Spend what you do not have. Runaway stimulus and bailout spending has caused our national debt to reach record levels, allowing it to be financed by China and giving China leverage on the global stage.

Increase energy taxes. Cap-and-trade energy bills like the ones currently before Congress create a national energy tax that would increase energy costs and kill jobs while unemployment stands at almost 10 percent.

Raise taxes on small business and American families. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the economy lost 131,000 jobs in July. 15 million Americans are trying to find work. Raising taxes in the midst of a struggling economy would be detrimental to small businesses and further cripple the economy.



Job Creating Principles

Make tax cuts permanent. Implementing lasting tax cuts will help to restore economic freedom in the United States and put our country on the path to a brighter future. The Economic Freedom Act (H.R. 5029), which I have cosponsored, would reduce taxes for American businesses and families.

Decrease burdensome regulations on small businesses. Small business and entrepreneurs are the cornerstone of our nation's economy. In our current economic situation, it is ever more critical that we support our small businesses by continuing pro-growth policies like lowering taxes, simplifying the tax code, and reducing burdensome regulations.

Lower the debt. Our national debt is expected to reach 93.1% of our GDP this year. Economic experts say even a 1 percent increase in GDP can create almost one million jobs. A commitment to decreasing the debt is a job-creating principle, which is why I have introduced a bill to cut government spending by 40% over the next five years.

I recently shared that the Labor Department is offering assistance to illegal immigrants who believe they are facing wage disparities. In the Public Service Announcement, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says workers -- legal or not -- have the right to fair wages. You can view the PSA by clicking here.

I believe this is wrong. Not only are American citizens suffering as we are facing almost 10% unemployment, but it is against the law to hire workers that are in our country illegally.

I received overwhelming feedback from my constituents on this issue. As a result, I signed a letter to Secretary Solis condemning the Labor Department’s new Public Service Announcement that asserts that “undocumented workers” have the right to equal pay just as American citizens have.

You can read the letter here.

Times of economic uncertainty can be especially scary for small businesses. Most of the time, small business owners don’t have the resources larger corporations have that enable them to quickly adjust to every trend and issue. Even seasoned business owners are finding themselves in uncharted territory as they wade through our current economic situation. If you are a small business owner and find yourself in a situation where you need help, the following online resources may be helpful to you.

The Small Business Administration Web site, www.sba.gov, provides tools and resources for small businesses at many levels. Small business owners will find information on loans available through the Loan Guaranty program, information on tax benefits, and a host of resources related to the current economic situation. The site also offers information on obtaining government contracts.  As any small business owner knows, the economic challenges that each business faces can vary from state to state. As such, the SBA provides smaller district offices to provide information based on your specific state or region.  Here is contact information for the Virginia district office to keep on hand:

Virginia District Office

Phone: (804) 771-2400 Fax: (804) 771-2764

Email Richmond.va@sba.gov

Sign up to attend a free workshop for small business development via the Virginia SBA events calendar.

Additionally, the SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a resource partner of the SBA dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE mentors are volunteers and are available to assist business owners with counseling and training on a number of business issues, including how to market in a weak economy, how to trim fuel costs, and how to face the next economic cycle with confidence. Visiting the SCORE Web site, http://www.score.org/index.html, will help you to find a mentor near you.

We have a lot of work to do to get our economy back on track, but it starts with making sure our small businesses – the true engines of our economy – have the resources they need to help stay afloat.

If you’re a small business owner, I want to hear from you – email me your thoughts, or sign up here to receive emails from me on issues that are impacting small business owners (be sure to check the “small business” box).

Today we mark the recognition of September 23, 2009 as National Job Corps Day. Along with other members of Congress, I have cosponsored legislation to encourage State and local governments to observe the day with appropriate activities that promote awareness of Job Corps.  

What is Job Corps? 

Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training.

What does Job Corps do for Young Adults?

Funded by Congress, Job Corps has trained young adults for meaningful careers since 1964. Job Corps is committed to offering all students a safe, drug-free environment where they can take advantage of the resources provided. Over the course of 45 years, nearly 3,000,000 youth in the United States have been provided a safe living and learning environment on Job Corps campuses nationwide.

Where can you find information on Job Corps Centers in Virginia?

For information on Job Corps Centers in Virginia, click here.