Since 1980, small business startups have created over 40 million jobs and are responsible for 60% of new jobs in the United States. Their success is vital to the strength of the economy and the availability of jobs for all Americans.

On Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) on the East Steps of the Capitol.

In President Obama's State of the Union Address, he asked Congress to send him a bill that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed. The JOBS Act does exactly that by removing barriers that are preventing small businesses from attracting investors and gaining access to capital.

Specifically, the legislation:

• eliminates Security and Exchange Commission restrictions that prevent entrepreneurs from raising capital from a large pool of investors;
• makes it easier for small businesses by increasing the threshold under which companies are exempt from SEC registration;
• raises the shareholder registration requirement threshold from 500 shareholders to 1,000 shareholders.

This bipartisan legislation removes these job-destroying regulations and will make it easier for small business startups to flourish while creating the jobs America needs.

From Speaker.gov:

Bipartisan support for the Keystone energy project has only continued to grow in the week since President Obama said he would “reject” legislation supporting the job-creating pipeline. 

Yesterday, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) told reporters that Keystone “has the backing of several Democrats.”  “It’s always had more Democratic support than people thought,” she said.  All told, as many as 14 Senate Democrats are reportedly supportive of Keystone.  That’s in addition to the 47 House Democrats who voted earlier this year to require the administration to act quickly act on the project. 

Here’s a rundown of what Democrats on both sides of the Capitol have said in the week since President Obama came out against congressional action on Keystone:

• Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA): “Landrieu says she'd support Keystone in payroll/ui/doc fix bill. Says ‘good deal’ of D & R support for it.” (Trish Turner, Twitter, 12/15/11)
  
• Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK): “Another sticking point is that Republicans inserted in their bill language that would fast-track the proposed Keystone X-L oil pipeline extension from Canada down to the Lower 48.  …Senator Begich is supportive of moving the project forward and his office says that’s not a problem.” (Alaska Public Radio, 12/14/11)
  
• Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND): “I personally think the pipeline is absolutely in the national interest.  It’ll help us reduce our dependence on foreign energy, at least foreign sources that are hostile to our interests… I, for one, on this side would hope that this could be part of a final package…” (Floor remarks, 12/14/11)
  
• Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): “Well, let's hope we can negotiate something like that… if states’ rights are being protected and if this is going to be something maybe that we can try to jumpstart the approval process, make it go more quickly.” (MSNBC, 12/14/11)
  
• Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV): “I am for the Keystone pipeline. …  everyone’s for it, it creates thousands of jobs!” (Fox News, 12/12/11)
  
• Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT): “I am proud to again offer my support for the Keystone XL pipeline and the jobs it will create. We need a quicker decision, based on the merits of this project.” (Floor Remarks, 12/13/11)
  
• Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC): “I'm very much for the pipeline. There is no question about that.”  (MSNBC, 12/14/11)
  
• Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK): "I commend the Speaker for including the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that is supported by business and labor." (Release, 12/12/11)
  
• Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA): “‘I think the president’s wrong on this,’ said Cardoza, who is retiring after this Congress.  ‘He can veto whatever he wants, but those are both policies I support.’” (POLITICO, 12/7/11)
  
• Rep. Gene Green (D-TX): “Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) said he’s not swayed by Obama’s veiled veto pledge. … ‘The Keystone is awfully important,’ Green said.” (POLITICO, 12/8/11)

Again, these are all things Democrats have said in the week since the leader of their party said he would “reject” Keystone’s inclusion in a jobs bill extending payroll tax relief and unemployment insurance.  For months now, Democrats have joined Republicans in supporting the pipeline – which is also backed by a broad-based coalition including organized labor – because it would help create jobs for workers struggling in President Obama’s economy.

Last night, Speaker Boehner unveiled an updated (and more accurate) version of the White House “countdown clock” urging Senate Democrats to take immediate action on the House-passed Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act. Click “embed” to put the widget on your website:

Today, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz made the outrageous claim on "Fox and Friends" that the unemployment rate has not gone up since President Obama took office.

The facts are this: when the president took office, unemployment stood at 7.8%. It rose to 10.1% in April 2009, and now stands at 8.6%. The number of unemployed eclipsed 13 million in March 2009, and has remained above 13 million for 31 straight months. Unfortunately for the millions of Americans without jobs, some of whom were undoubtedly watching her try to pass off this statement as true, the average number of weeks it takes for them to find work is the highest its ever been.

House Republicans are taking decisive action to create jobs. Since January, we have passed 27 bipartisan jobs bills that are awaiting action in the Democrat-controlled Senate. And this week, the House will consider H.R. 3630 which will extend the Payroll Tax Holiday for another year while requiring no new government spending.