Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) said today that he is eager and ready to lead the Health Subcommittee in the 112th Congress. The Congressman was tapped to chair the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by Congressman Fred Upton (R, MI), the likely next chairman of the committee.

"The American people want Congress to find solutions to our healthcare challenges that are market-based, Constitutional, and won’t bankrupt the Treasury. I look forward to working with Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Chairman Upton, and all of my colleagues to get this done." Click here to read more.

The House Republican Conference has approved an earmark ban for the entire 112th Congress. I’m extremely proud that our conference has taken this small but significant step toward restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington. Earmark spending may only make up a relatively small part of the federal budget, but it has played a big role in getting individual Members to support big-spending appropriations bills. Republicans will stop the favor factory in the 112th Congress, and focus on reducing the federal government to a sensible and sustainable level.

The top issue confronting our nation is creating jobs and fixing our economy. Real job creation comes from the private sector, but our government plays an important role in encouraging or discouraging this private sector prosperity. I believe it’s my responsibility to clearly describe how I think we should tackle our toughest problems. This memo lays out steps that we can take in Washington to free businesses and individuals to reinvigorate our economy and get Americans working again.