Even as the president continues to call for job-killing tax increases to pay for his unprecedented spending binge, a new report shows that small businesses around the country are less confident in the economy than last year and only 11 percent plan to create jobs in the near future.

According to the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) June report, the Small-Business Optimism Index fell for the fourth month in a row and is now at its lowest level since October, 2010.  Only 11 percent of small businesses plan on hiring new workers over the next three months, down from 13 percent in May.  As NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg explained, “Who can blame the prevalence of pessimism when administration officials are telling Congress that small businesses need to pay more in taxes to support government spending programs?”

A new Rasmussen survey shows that the majority of Americans also oppose the president’s calls for higher taxes to be coupled to a debt limit increase.  According to the survey, “Just 34% think a tax hike should be included in any legislation to raise the debt ceiling. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% disagree and say it should not.”  It’s no wonder why the president’s plan for record spending and job-killing tax increases is opposed by a majority of Americans—the result of two and a half years of President Obama’s failed agenda, record spending, and tax increases speaks for itself.

The Republican Plan for Job Creation and Growth

House Republicans have a plan to provide lasting certainty and stability for small businesses while Democrats keep rehashing the same failed policies.

• Reduce spending and restore fiscal sanity to give small businesses and job creators the stability and confidence to expand and hire new employees.
• Require congressional review and approval of any government agency regulations that have a significant impact on the economy or burden small businesses.
• Bring real certainty to job creators by ending Washington’s runaway spending and debt and putting on the path to balance the budget.
• Audit existing and pending regulations to identify and address those that hinder economic growth.
• Re-Authorize and improve federal programs and approval process to streamline development of new products.
• Increase American competitiveness by lowering tax rates in a deficit neutral manner and ensuring the job-destroying tax increase don’t take effect at the worst possible time.

House Republicans are committed to taking every possible step to spur job creation and get our economy back on track so that Americans can do what they do best: create, innovate and lead.