Economy and Jobs

American families are struggling.  President Obama and Senate Democrats aren’t helping.

Despite six years of speeches, campaign promises, and annual trillion dollar deficit spending bills sold as a cure for the economy, American families continue to struggle.  Too many of our friends and neighbors can’t find jobs. 

The “Obama recovery” is the worst recovery on record since the Great Depression.

• 20 million Americans are unemployed or underemployed
• American labor force participation is at its lowest level in 35 years
• Almost 47 million Americans are dependent on food stamps

The next few years could be even worse.  Small business owners tell me they are scared to hire new workers for fear the cost of Obamacare and other regulations will drive them out of business.  Washington releases over 3,000 new regulations each year, which will cost the American economy almost a half-trillion dollars, driving up the cost of goods and services while impeding job growth.

Economic growth comes from local small businesses and the private sector, not big government.  Every dollar a business spends on unnecessary regulations is a dollar not being spent on hiring more employees or growing the economy.

House Republicans are focused on real solutions for growing the economy and creating jobs. 

Since the beginning of 2013, I’ve helped pass 42 pro-jobs (see below), pro-economic growth bills, many with strong bipartisan support.  However, each one of these bills is gathering dust on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s desk.

From reforming the tax code to streamlining job training programs, these bills will help build a stronger American economy and make it easier for Americans to find work.  If the Senate will act.

• The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 367) requires Congressional approval of any new regulation with an economic cost of $100 million or more.
• The Save American Workers Act (H.R. 2575) repeals the 30-hour threshold created by Obamacare for “full-time employee,” which had resulted in reduced hours for many lower-income workers.  H.R. 2575 restores the 40-hour workweek. 
• The Student and Family Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 3393) streamlines existing education tax credits to make it easier for families to plan, save, and invest in education.
• The Path to Prosperity Budget (H. Con. Res. 96) cuts wasteful government spending and implements pro-jobs, pro-growth reforms to return America to the path of fiscal sustainability.

Jobs are my top priority.  Each week, I meet with local business leaders, managers, and employees to hear their ideas on how Washington can remove unnecessary burdens and allow their businesses to grow.  Back in Washington, I’m working hard to translate those ideas into meaningful action.

House Republicans are focused on common sense solutions which help grow the economy and create jobs.  Since becoming your Congressman in January 2013, I’ve personally helped pass 42 pro-jobs, pro-economic growth bills, including legislation to help veterans find good-paying jobs, reduce unnecessary regulations on small businesses, and tax reform.

Senate Democrats refuse to take action on any of these bills, preferring they gather dust on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s desk.  Real solutions for hardworking American families are being held hostage by President Obama and Senator Harry Reid.

42 Pro-Jobs Bills Wasting Time on Senator Reid’s Desk

1. Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3) approves the Keystone Pipeline and the thousands of jobs associated with that project, and removes unnecessary legal and regulatory obstacles that could further delay construction.
2. Energy Consumers Relief Act (H.R. 1582) halts major new Obama Administration regulations that will hurt jobs and the economy, but do little to protect the environment.
3. Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act is bipartisan legislation to encourage the growth of charter schools as an alternative to failing public schools.
4. Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America That Works Act (H.R. 4899) requires the Obama Administration to move forward with new offshore energy production, creating jobs and providing hardworking American families with relief at the pump.
5. Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 1406) enables workers to voluntarily negotiate flexible work schedules that are currently prohibited under the Fair Standards Labor Act of 1938.
6. Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act (H.R. 3136) increases access and affordability in higher education by allowing educational institutions the flexibility to provide a degree based on a student’s knowledge and skills instead of seat time.
7. Preserving the Welfare Work Requirement and TANF Extension Act (H.R. 890) prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from authorizing, modifying, or extending any state experimental or demonstration project that waives the work requirements of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
8. Student Success Act (H.R. 5) puts an end to President Obama’s “National School Board,” putting states and local school districts back in charge of their own schools.
9. Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 367) requires Congressional approval of any new regulation with an economic cost of $100 million or more.
10. Veterans Economic Opportunity Act (H.R. 2481) improves programs that help veterans receive training and find good-paying jobs.
11. Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act (H.R. 1105) facilitates the growth of Main Street jobs by reining in red tape that hurts small business investment.
12. Hire More Heroes Act (H.R. 3474) makes it easier to hire veterans by exempting those with existing coverage from Obamacare’s employer mandate.
13. Save American Workers Act (H.R. 2575) repeals Obamacare’s “30-hour workweek,” which has resulted in lost hours for low and moderate income workers, and restores the traditional 40-hour workweek.
14. America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4457) permanently allows small businesses to immediately deduct the cost of purchasing new equipment. 
15. Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act (H.R. 1613) would increase energy production in the Gulf of Mexico, creating new jobs and moving America’s economy closer to energy independence.
16. Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act (H.R. 2728) prevents the Obama Administration from imposing costly, duplicative, and job-killing regulations on hydraulic fracturing operations in states with existing regulations and permit requirements.
17. Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act (H.R. 1900) expedites the development of critical infrastructure needed to accommodate increased natural gas production, and the thousands of jobs that come with it.
18. Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America (H.R. 2824) prevents unnecessary and excessive regulations on coal-powered energy that will destroy jobs and increase energy costs for hardworking American families.
19. North American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3301) expedites the approval of critical energy infrastructure by modernizing the approval process for cross-border pipelines and eliminating the requirement for a Presidential permit.
20. Repealing Obamacare (H.R. 45) repeals President Obama’s misguided health care law, which has led to fewer jobs, reduced hours, less innovation, and more government interference.
21. Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act (H.R. 2218) will enable states to deal with coal ash in an environmentally-responsible, job-creating, innovative method without costly and unnecessary new regulations.
22. Stop Government Abuse Act (H.R. 2879) provides small business owners, who create the majority of American jobs, with tools to protect against government harassment.
23. Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act (H.R. 2009) stops the IRS from implementing President Obama’s health care law, which is making it harder for businesses to hire.
24. National Strategic and Critical Mineral Production Act (H.R. 761) facilitates the development of strategic and critical minerals used to support manufacturing jobs.
25. Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526) helps rural schools and counties improve forest health, and put thousands of Americans to work.
26. Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act (H.R. 2640) delivers the water supply necessary for job creation and clears the way for clean energy.
27. Innovation Act (H.R. 3309) promotes economic growth by helping businesses better defend themselves against abusive patent litigation.
28. Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Emergency Water Delivery Act (H.R. 3964) fixes regulations which have curtailed water supplies critical to health, safety, welfare, and economic growth.
29. Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Requiring Transparency Act (H.R. 2804) helps minimize the impact of new rules on small businesses, which create the majority of American jobs.
30. Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act (H.R. 899) gives small businesses a greater voice in new, unfunded mandates and regulations.
31. Responsible and Professionally Invigorating Development Act (H.R. 2641) expedites the approval of new energy projects that help lower costs and create jobs.
32. Electricity, Security, and Affordability Act (H.R. 3826) protects coal-fired power plants from excessive regulations that increase costs for ordinary American families and kill jobs.
33. Path to Prosperity Budget (H. Con. Res. 96) puts Washington on a spending diet and implements pro-growth reforms that boost job creation.
34. American Research and Competitiveness Act (H.R. 4438) makes permanent the research and development tax credit, helping to create jobs and boost competitiveness in a global marketplace.
35. S Corporation Permanent Tax Relief Act (H.R. 4453) permanently allows proven job creators to access the capital they need to grow, create more jobs, and compete globally.
36. Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act (H.R. 6) expedites the approval of liquefied natural gas export applications.
37. Making Permanent Bonus Depreciation Act (H.R. 4718) permanently extends a tax incentive that encourages businesses to move forward with plans to grow and create new jobs.
38. Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (H.R. 3086) permanently extends a ban on Internet access taxes to protect jobs.
39. Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act (H.R. 4983) helps students gain access to the facts they need to make an informed decision about their college education.
40. Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling (H.R. 4984) promotes financial literacy through enhanced counseling for all recipients of federal financial aid.
41. Student and Family Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 3393) streamlines existing education tax credits to make it easier for families to plan, save, and invest in education.
42. Child Tax Credit Improvement Act (H.R. 4935) makes the current child tax credit more accessible and equitable for middle-class families.

For more information about these pro-jobs bills or any other legislation, please use the “Thomas Bill Search” widget to access the complete text and current status.