The nation’s labor participation rate is the lowest it’s been in 36 years—more than 91 million unemployed Americans have given up on looking for work. This Administration’s policies have killed jobs and contributed to the nation’s growing income disparity by driving down the number of hours in the workweek, reducing net take home pay and increasing health care costs for many families, and stunting small business growth through unpredictable and punitive regulations. This has perhaps been felt the most in rural America, where as I’ve traveled through my district I’ve heard countless stories on how the costs of basic services like health care are higher, incomes are lower, and federal regulations have restricted many people from earning a living off the land as their families have done for generations. The President needs to understand that these individuals aren’t looking for more government handouts—they want the opportunities they once had to put in a day’s work and earn a paycheck. They want the federal government to get out of the way. While I welcome the President’s call for a year of action on the economy, it remains to be seen what form that will take. Circumventing Congress through a series of executive fiats to entrench already failed economic policies and further expand government is not the answer to encouraging growth, creating jobs, and shrinking the income disparity. It’s disingenuous for the President to say in one breath that he’s willing to work with us, and then in the next that he will avoid Congress if he can—as he is already doing by unilaterally acting to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors. The way forward must include a willingness to come to the table and work together to advance legislation to improve the economy and foster a federal government that is responsive, transparent, and accountable to the people. We stand ready to work with the President to bring about a reduction in the nation’s income disparity by creating opportunities and jobs in the private sector, providing accessible and affordable health care, and restoring the 40 hour work-week so that families can have a fighting chance to succeed and attain the American Dream.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 03:37:47 +0000
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