Growing Our Economy

I support efforts to bolster small businesses and local manufacturers to help grow our economy.

Combating Tax Loopholes that Ship U.S. Jobs and Tax Dollars Offshore

I have been a strong advocate for closing tax loopholes that allow multinational corporations to avoid paying their fair share. If they do not pay their fair share, it puts a greater burden on small businesses and families.

American Families Need a Safety Net

Our system is not ready for the next recession. Economics experts know that during periods of prosperity and growth, we must ensure that our unemployment insurance system is ready for the next recession. Unless we are, the problems will only intensify. Well-functioning unemployment insurance is our first line of defense in keeping economic downturns from spreading or worsening. Recent recessions would have been far worse without unemployment insurance, including the extended benefits that my colleagues and I fought to continue until jobs were available. We need more action from Congress to ensure this vital protection is there when our constituents need it most.

Protecting Consumers

With my strong support, Congress enacted legislation to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a powerful consumer advocate. Consumers need protection from financial predators. When your family is counting on something--a home, a job, or a retirement plan--we should not let big government get in your way, but neither should we let other powerful forces, such as Wall Street banks, health insurance monopolies, or pharmaceutical giants, interfere. 

Opposition to Bank Bailouts

Without oversight, consumers lose. I voted against all of the Big Bank bailouts. While the Wall Street Reform bill should have done more -- much more -- about those Wall Street interests that are paid too much and taxed too little, it represented a modest but important step toward preventing future bailouts.

Keeping the Internet Open

I was one of the first members of Congress to oppose the so-called Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and urged the House Judiciary Committee to reject the bill’s overly broad language that could harm free speech and threaten cybersecurity. For Texas, the Internet continues to be an engine for economic growth. We must ensure that we balance the goal of fighting copyright infringement with protecting the freedom of expression and creativity that has contributed to the success of the Internet. SOPA would stifle technology innovation and investment at a time when it represents one of the brighter parts of our economy.  

San Antonio Missions National Park Expansion 

In December 2014, President Obama signed into law legislation that included Congressman Doggett’s bill to expand San Antonio Missions National Historical Park by 137 acres near Missions San José, San Juan, and Espada. The inclusion of more historical areas within the boundary of the park allows the National Park Service to protect significant cultural resources, including labores, original Spanish farm fields near Mission San Juan. The successful addition of all five San Antonio Missions to the UNESCO World Heritage List will boost our local economy.