United States Congress

Creating long-term job growth in Michigan is my top priority in Congress. - Tim

As Michigan families and businesses continue to grapple with an uncertain economy, reducing barriers to employment and increasing Michigan's and America's global competitiveness is critical to ensure that there are good paying, high-skilled jobs. 

In my conversations with constituents and employers, it is clear that too many policies coming out of Washington are making it difficult for Michigan’s businesses to grow and hire new employees. While some government regulations are important, excessive federal regulation stifles our nations’ job creators by creating an uncertain business climate. In addition, a complex and unfair tax system is constantly trying to raise taxes on small employers, affecting their bottom line and ability to grow. 

Developed with feedback from Main Street businesses and employees across Michigan’s 7th District, I’ve introduced H.R. 4936, the Main Street Jobs and Opportunity Act, to support new jobs by reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses and encouraging them to innovate, expand, and create more job opportunities in their community.  You may learn more about my legislation here. 

In addition to my legislative efforts, I believe that taking the following practical steps will help us create long-term economic growth:

Reduce Tax Burden
America needs to distance itself from a tax system that seeks to raise taxes on hard-working American families and job-creators.  We need a comprehensive tax reform to make our tax code simpler, fairer and encourage investment for a healthy economy. Independent economists estimate that, when coupled with reduced federal spending, comprehensive tax reform could lead to the creation of 1 million jobs in the first year alone. I support the bipartisan efforts to get this accomplished.

Expand Education and Workforce Development Opportunities
As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I’ve been working to ensure everyone has access to the best educational opportunities, which in turn will develop workers with the right skills and keep our nation competitive. I am working to reauthorize Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to strengthen career training technical skills programs and increase access to meaningful careers that meet the workforce needs in our community. On  July 7, 2016, our Committee unanimously passed H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Training Education for the 21st Century Act, which will help more Americans enter the workforce with the tools they need. Additionally, during the 113th Congress, I helped pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a bipartisan compromise to modernize and improve our existing federal workforce development programs and help put Americans back to work. The President signed this legislation into law in July 2014.

Replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
I continue to hear from families in Michigan who are paying more for health care while receiving less choice and reduced care under the President's health care law, commonly called Obamacare. Please know I will continue to strongly support efforts to replace Obamacare with more effective solutions that promote consumer choice, decrease health care costs and improve access to care. I've supported a number of bills to strengthen our health care system, and I've cosponsored H.R. 2300, the Empowering Patients First Act, which would repeal PPACA and replace it with patient-centered solutions that promote consumer choice, decrease health care costs and improve access to care. To view a list of actions Congress has already taken to date to repeal the heath care law, please visit here.

Reduce Harmful Regulations 

While some government regulations are important, excessive federal regulation stifles our nations’ job creators by creating an uncertain business climate.  Eliminating these burdensome regulations will encourage increased investment and new hiring. The first step Congress can take in fighting harmful regulations is to identify  and eliminate current and pending regulations that hinder economic growth, while requiring Congressional review of any new regulations that will significantly impact our economy. In July 2015, I voted in support of H.R. 427, the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which requires Congressional approval of regulations that cost over $100 million.

Invest in Research and Development 
Michigan’s economic turnaround depends on manufacturers innovating, growing and expanding. In May 2015, I voted in support of H.R. 880, the American Research and Competitiveness Act, to permanently extend the Research and Development tax credit so we can keep high-tech, high-paying jobs in Michigan and encourage further investment in American businesses. This act was included as part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act which and was signed into law on December 18, 2015.

Promote American Trade 
We need to develop trade policies that are free, fair and enforce trade laws that keep our trading partners accountable.

Reduce Government Spending 
With a national debt exceeding $19 trillion dollars, we need to begin spending federal dollars like a responsible American family or business. Every federal dollar that is saved now is a dollar that is not borrowed and owed by future generations in the form of higher taxes and interest payments. I support an amendment, H.J.Res. 1, to the Constitution that requires Congress not spend more than it receives in revenues, requires a 3/5 majority vote to increase the debt limit and requires the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress.

RELATED ITEMS

07/07/2016 – Walberg: Empower Students, Workers to Succeed in Workforce
05/17/2016 – Walberg Works to Strengthen Career and Technical Education
04/18/2016 – WLNS: Walberg Holds 6th Annual Job Fair in Jackson
04/14/2016 - Walberg Introduces Main Street Jobs and Opportunity Act
04/01/2016 – WLNS: Walberg Chairs Field Hearing on Workplace Flexibility
03/29/2016 – WLNS: Walberg Tours LCC and Talks Millennials in the Workforce 
03/16/2016 - Walberg questions Labor Secretary about workplace flexibility, overtime rule
01/16/2016 - Walberg Champions Amendment to Highlight Impact of Regulations on Wage Stagnation
12/19/2015 - Walberg Chairs Hearing on How Burdensome Regulations Affect Workers and Job Creators
07/26/2015 - Walberg Discusses Proposed Overtime Rule on Fox Business
06/10/2015 - WLNS: Hundreds Attend Walberg’s Jackson Job Fair
05/15/2015 - Walberg Champions NDAA Amendment to Save Taxpayer Dollars
04/29/2015 - Walberg Pushes for Veterans Job Training Amendment
02/05/2015 - Walberg Works to Eliminate Wasteful Spending
02/04/2015 - Rep. Walberg, Governor Pence Discuss How States Can RemoveBarriers to Jobs
01/08/2015 - Walberg Fights to Restore 40-Hour Work Week