-- Randy’s Roundup --

A Weekly Newsletter from Congressman Randy Neugebauer

March 1, 2010

Small Businesses Need Certainty to Create Jobs

Last week, I participated in a Financial Services Committee hearing on status of lending to small businesses. While the Committee heard from witnesses in Washington, I also submitted several statements for the hearing that I received from small businesses and lenders from West Texas and the Big County who are wary of higher taxes, burdensome regulations, and restrictive mandates. 

While many factors have led to reduced lending in some areas, I think one of the biggest issues is the uncertainty created by government, and the comments I received backed this up. Small businesses are unsure about the costs Congress may add on them and the taxes they will have to pay, and lenders are undecided about the changing regulatory environment.  Hesitant of what costly mandates are coming from Washington next, businesses are hunkering down instead of hiring and expanding.

Businesses in the 19th Congressional District and across America need certainty from their leaders in Washington before they decide whether they will expand, hire more workers, or increase production. Rather than bigger government and more spending, it’s time to use the tried and true conservative, free-market oriented approach to job creation.  For example, as part of my Empowerment Agenda, I have introduced legislation that empowers farms and small businesses to grow and create new jobs through tax fairness. Rather than take more revenue out of family farms and small businesses that could help them grow, I believe Congress should empower them to succeed with tax policy that rewards hard work and investment by permanently repealing the death tax, making small business expensing permanent and giving the self-employed the same tax benefits for purchasing health coverage as large companies get.

Washington can do three things to help job creation: rein in skyrocketing deficit spending that discourages investment and threatens to bankrupt our nation; allow individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars; and finally, get out of the way and let American entrepreneurial genius lead the way to prosperity.

President’s Health Care Summit is More of the Same

Last week, President Obama convened a health care summit in Washington. Although I did not attend, I believe it was a good opportunity for the American people to see some transparency in an otherwise closed-door discussion.

Unfortunately, the White House health care summit revealed the real divide in this debate: Democrats want to empower the government while Republicans want to empower patients. Even the President’s latest health care plan is the same big-government scheme that the American people have overwhelmingly rejected. Although I applaud his effort to bring something to the table, continuing to stick to a similar plan the American people have rallied against is unproductive.

I am also concerned the Congressional leadership still refuses to abandon the option of forcing the bill through Congress.  Using a legislative tactic known as reconciliation, the Congressional leaders could bypass the 60-vote threshold of the Senate in favor of gaining a simple majority. This represents a stark example of the Democrats mantra that Washington knows best. If Speaker Pelosi and her liberal Congress truly intend to ignore the will of the people, they had best be prepared for the coming backlash.

The American people have spoken. We need to start over on health care with a common sense, step-by-step approach that focuses on lowering costs and increasing access to affordable, high-quality care.  President Obama challenged every member of Congress to come forward with their own ideas.  I am proud to stand with many House Republicans to do just that.

Over the past year, my Republican colleagues have introduced legislation that will help reign in the cost of health care.  These proposals include allowing small business owners to join Associate Health Plans, giving individuals an opportunity to purchase health care across state lines, meaningful medical malpractice reform, as well as expanding coverage through improved Health Saving Accounts.  We have also introduced legislation that would expand high risk pools so patients with pre-existing conditions are no longer denied the care they need.

These are reasonable reforms that don’t rely upon government bureaucrats or the creation of a massive new expensive government entitlement.  Let’s start over on health care and craft a bipartisan approach based on common sense principles that will lower costs and that the American people can support.

Informational Sessions on Antibiotic Use in Livestock

Last week, I co-hosted a series of educational briefings to share the facts about the importance of tools like antibiotics in raising healthy animals. The informational briefings were held in cooperation with U.S. Reps. David Scott (D-GA), Zack Space (D-OH) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). The sessions were a great opportunity for several top livestock and poultry health experts from across the country to present information on antibiotic use.
 
As livestock producers in Texas will tell you, antibiotic use is crucial in treating and controlling disease in livestock.  Without these tools, we would see reduced production and health of U.S. herds. Antibiotic use falls under strict federal regulation, and responsible-use programs have been developed to give producers specific guidelines on the safe and proper use of antibiotics in health management systems.
 
Dr. Timothy Cummings, clinical poultry professor for the Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine at Mississippi State University, said, “It's absolutely vital that any decisions about the care of animals and the safety of our food be based on sound science rather than unsubstantiated concerns.” I agree with Dr. Cummings. Policy must be based on fact, not myth. A growing body of evidence shows that responsible, professional use of these products keeps animals healthy and enhances animal welfare while not contributing to resistance. Without these FDA-approved drugs, farmers and ranchers would be left with limited options in how to prevent and control disease. Hopefully these briefings were a valuable tool for those in attendance. As we continue to learn more about the safe use of antibiotics in livestock, I will be certain to keep you updated and will continue to support efforts to help educate Members of Congress and their staffs about important agriculture issues.
 
“Question of the Week”

What did you think of the President’s Health Care Summit?

Please visit my website to submit your answer to this week’s question.
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Thanks to everyone who answered last week’s question. Here are the results:

Q: Is it more important for the President to be focused on jobs or health care?

A: Jobs: 90.43%    Healthcare: 8.51%    I’m not sure: 1.06%

As always, when events unfold in Washington, I will be sure to update you. In the meantime, do not hesitate to visit my website or call my office toll free district wide at (888) 763-1611 or my Washington, DC office at 202-225-4005.