The United States is facing an urgent financial crisis that threatens our fiscal and economic stability. Our government is currently borrowing about 50 cents for every dollar we spend. Our debt is the number one threat to our security and our economic recovery. I do not want to leave a legacy of debt for the next generation and pledge to continue working to reduce federal spending so that our children and grandchildren can have the bright future that they deserve.

In addition to a Balanced Budget Amendment, I supported a budget alternative that would cut taxes and reduce spending. It is time to let Americans keep more of what they earn and for the government to spend less. We need to trust and empower individual Americans instead of the federal government. By taking these steps, our economy will see the growth and prosperity that have defined America for generations.

The unemployment rate posted its 91st consecutive month at 5.0% or higher in June. While the unemployment rate has declined significantly since peaking at 10.0% in October 2009, there are still 7.9 million Americans unemployed. Additionally, the civilian labor force participation rate was 62.4% in September, the lowest rate since October 1977. We are fortunate in Houston to have a strong economy that has bucked national trends and find ourselves adding jobs to the economy.

House Republicans are working to improve the economy. We continue to pass bills that would stimulate the economy, and put more Americans back into the workforce. Unfortunately, the Democrats still control the Senate because of their 60 vote requirement. I urge the Senate and the President to join the House in protecting American jobs and American families.

I have supported the following legislation in the 114th Congress that would help create American jobs and put our fiscal house back in order:

• H.R. 22, Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act – became law on December 4, 2015.

• H.R. 30, Save American Workers Act of 2015 – passed the House on January 8, 2015.

• H.R. 3, Keystone XL Pipeline Act, passed the House on January 9, 2015.

• H.R. 185, Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 – passed the House on January 13, 2015.

• H.R. 37, Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act – passed the  House on January 14, 2015.

• H.R. 161, Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act – passed the house on January 21, 2015.

• H.R. 351, LNG Permitting Certainty and Transparency Act – passed the House on January 28, 2015.

• H.R. 527, Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 – passed the House on February 5, 2015.

• H. Con. Res. 27, House Republican Budget – passed House on March 25, 2015.

• H.R. 2499, Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 – passed the House on July 13, 2015.

• H.R. 1839, RAISE Act of 2015 – passed House on October 6, 2015.

• H.R. 702, To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions – passed the House on October 9, 2015.