Online Exclusive: 114th Congress must be a time for action for the American people

Feb 23, 2015 at 08:45 am by bryan


Countless Tennesseans are still struggling to deal with economic hardships created by policies put forth by the Obama administration - policies that have grown government at the expense of private sector jobs. And while the political class in Washington has prospered these past few years, too many hardworking small business owners and middle class families have not.

The 114th Congress must be a time for action and reprieve for the American people.

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That starts by getting the federal government's finances under control. Business owners know today's deficits will have to be paid for with tomorrow's tax increases. As a result, they are keeping capital on the sidelines that could be used to grow and create jobs. Unfortunately, President Obama's latest budget proposal merely ramps up spending with absolutely no plan to start tackling our debt. In fact, under President Obama's proposal, our budget would never balance.

Next, we need real, comprehensive tax reform that will make our onerous tax code flatter, fairer and simpler. However, President Obama's proposal not only calls for more spending, it calls for tax increases. But there are two problems with that approach. First, revenues being received by Washington are at an all-time high. So even though the federal government is receiving more tax dollars than at any other time in our nation's history, the president is asking for even more. Second, the United States already holds the highest corporate tax rate in the world.

And what do we have to show for all of this deficit spending and taxing? We have a bloated federal government and all the over-regulation that comes with it.

A recent study by the National Association of Manufacturers showed that federal regulations are costing the U.S. economy more than $2 trillion per year. Those are funds that should be going towards economic growth and job creation. Instead they are being squandered on complying with miles of bureaucratic red tape.

Clearly we need a new direction. With Republican's now in control of both the House and Senate, it is time to enact real solutions to grow our economy and provide opportunities for hardworking families.

Last month, the House passed multiple bills that will create jobs by reducing red tape and simplifying our tax code. For example, H.R. 636, America's Small Business Tax Relief Act, provides the certainty businesses need to plan for the future by making critical small business tax reductions permanent. We must use legislative accomplishments like H.R. 636 to create a momentum to carry us throughout the year.

It is my hope that rather than continuing to fight progress, President Obama will work with Congress to create actionable solutions for our nation. Issuing veto threats (12 since the start of the 114th Congress) is the type of nonstarter attitude that thwarts the legislative process and ignores the will of the American people. I am especially disappointed the president continues to threaten to veto the bipartisan bill approving the Keystone Pipeline, which would create more than 40,000 jobs and put $2 billion into the U.S. economy. While the president admitted the state of our economy calls for action, his actions so far on the Keystone Pipeline do not match that rhetoric.

I am excited about the opportunities the 114th Congress presents for the nation and the American people. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my conservative colleagues to create a long-term road map to prosperity.

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