Economy and Jobs
Finding ways to empower small businesses to create jobs is my top priority in Congress. Whether that is reducing regulatory burdens, scaling back red tape or establishing more certainty in the marketplace- one thing we can all agree on in Washington is that we must strengthen the economy. This year I have supported several bills that will help to create an environment in which small businesses can thrive and begin to put the 10th District of Illinois back to work. I have also put in place a “Jobs Task Force” in the district that meets regularly to find ways to help the job creators in our local communities. Whether I’m back in the district hosting a job fair or in Washington fighting for small businesses, I want to make sure your voice is heard and that we are taking the necessary steps to create jobs.
Legislation I support:
• Fixing the tax code is one way to help job creators. I am an original cosponsor and voted for H.R. 4, to repeal the burdensome and expensive 1099 mandate on small businesses. I also voted for the pro-growth tax reform in the FY 2012 House Budget. specifically to simplify the tax code by closing hundreds of tax deductions and tax credits and use the corresponding revenues to lower rates on America’s businesses so they can invest here at home.
• I also believe that it is important to encourage entrepreneurship and growth. That is why I support H.R. 1249, the America Invents Act. This bill is designed to establish a more efficient and streamlined patent system that will improve patent quality and limit unnecessary and counterproductive litigation costs.
• Reducing the regulatory burdens that hinder economic growth is another step that Washington must take in order to empower job creators. I cosponsored H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act and support H.R. 1315, the Consumer Financial Protection and Soundness Improvement Act which establishes a bipartisan commission to help bring more oversight and transparency to the Consumer Protection Bureau.
• There is no doubt that we must begin to pay down Washington’s skyrocketing debt in order to stabilize our economy and put our nation back on a path to prosperity. That is why I voted for H.Con.Res 34, which will reduce deficits by $4.4 trillion over the next ten years. I also supported the bipartisan Budget Control Act which has a deficit reduction of $2.4 trillion over ten years. I will continue to support legislation that works in a bold, bipartisan manner to pay down our debt and get our economy moving again.
• Beyond the votes I have already taken, I am supportive of several initiatives that will help create jobs. I am part of a free trade working group that supports the pending three free trade agreements. I am also an avid supporter of the bipartisan tax repatriation proposal which would bring back nearly $1 trillion in U.S. corporate income held overseas. I support H.R. 2204, which would direct federal agencies to assess the impact their regulations have on jobs. I introduced H.R 1739, the Sugar Reform Act, which seeks to reform the U.S. sugar price controls that are hurting jobs in the food manufacturing industry right here in Chicago. And I also support reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States which directly supports small businesses in our communities by providing them the credit that they so desperately need.
For more information concerning my work and views on the issues of Economy and Jobs, please contact my Washington, DC office.
I look forward to your feedback.
Thank you.