Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

Values

The nation's unemployment rate has only recently fallen from sustained rates in excess of 7%. Our economy is supposed to be in recovery, but average Americans are having a hard time telling the difference, and many have simply given up looking for work. Unfortunately, in large measure due to policies by this Administration, unemployment rates throughout Southwest Virginia remain higher than in many other parts of the country.

During a time of the largest budget deficits in U.S. history, the national debt has skyrocketed to more than $17.5 trillion. The government is out of money. We need solutions that promote job creation and rein in government spending, resulting in economic growth.

One of the best ways to create jobs is to get the government out of the way. The hard work and determination of our people made this country into the great nation it is today. Many parts of Southside and Southwest Virginia have experienced higher than average unemployment rates for years. Lower taxes, sensible regulation, and a playing field not tilted so heavily towards foreign countries will allow private enterprises in Southside and Southwest Virginia to regain their competitive advantage due to innovation and a strong work ethic.

Actions

Actively looking for opportunities to help manufacturers find a home in the Ninth District. Encouraged firearms manufacturer Beretta to expand with a facility in Southwest Virginia -- ultimately, Beretta decided to move to Tennessee, citing that state's more gun-friendly environment.

Supports the Virginia Jobs and Energy Act (H.R. 1782), which would fast track oil, natural gas, and other energy development off Virginia's coasts.

Supported the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act (H.R. 1526), legislation that would reopen federal forest land for responsible timber harvesting, allowing more revenue to flow to rural counties and creating as many as 68,000 direct and 140,000 indirect jobs.

Cosponsored the Save American Workers Act (H.R. 2575) to define a full-time employee as one who works an average of at least 40 hours per week. Obamacare's employer mandate requires businesses with 50 or more full-time employees (which, in the case of Obamacare, applies to employees working 30 or more hours each week) to provide health insurance coverage to employees, or face a penalty tax up to several thousand dollars per employee. Although the Obama Administration unilaterally delayed enforcement of the employer mandate until 2015, many employers have begun reducing their employees' hours to less than 30 hours per week in an attempt to avoid the considerable expense of complying with Obamacare. Hours have been cut as a result of this rule by the Commonwealth of Virginia; localities, including some in the Ninth District; and businesses. Such a reduction obviously creates economic hardships for the employees affected.

Cosponsored the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (H.R. 3086) to permanently prohibit taxing Internet access. I support an open and free Internet with minimal government regulation, and I do not want to see new taxes imposed on one of the most dynamic aspects of our economy and culture.

Cosponsor of legislation to repeal the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards imposed on automobile makers by the EPA (H.R. 2445).

Voted to support the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 (H.R. 367). For all new major regulations with an economic impact of $100 million or more, H.R. 367 requires an up-or-down vote by both the House and the Senate and the signature of the President before they can be enforced on the American public. The REINS Act would restore congressional accountability by requiring Congress and the President to approve major rules before they can be enforced against the American people. It would improve the regulatory process by making Members of Congress accountable to their constituents for the regulations that go into effect, and would prevent unnecessary regulations that the American people do not want.

Cosponsored the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 (H.R. 1406). H.R. 1406 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to allow private sector employers and employees to establish agreements that provide for compensatory time off in lieu of monetary overtime compensation -- an option that is currently available for federal, state, and local government employees. Specifically, H.R. 1406 authorizes compensatory time off at a rate of no less than one and one half hours for each hour of overtime worked.

Voted to support the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (H.R. 803). H.R. 803 reforms our nation's workforce development system, including the streamlining of duplicative and ineffective job training programs. The bipartisan bill passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and was signed into law by the President.

Voted to support the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 2218), which would provide for the safe management and disposal of coal combustion residuals by setting enforceable federal standards while allowing states to craft their own permitting programs. H.R.2218 would also prevent EPA's classification of coal ash as a hazardous substance. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a rule to potentially classify fossil fuel combustion wastes, otherwise known as coal ash or fly ash, as a hazardous waste; this designation would completely stop American businesses from recycling these materials into a number of useful products, such as concrete mixtures for our roads, bridges, and buildings. EPA's new proposed rule would destroy jobs, raise electricity prices, and increase costs for several industries that beneficially reuse coal ash.

Cosponsored the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3), which would approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by removing the requirement for a Presidential permit and grant additional federal permits required for the project. There is no question that construction of the Keystone XL would be a major American job creator. President Obama and the State Department have slow-walked Keystone XL's approval process, but it is time to build. I voted to clear the way for the Keystone XL pipeline because of its contributions to our energy security and the jobs it would create for the American people.

Supported legislation to fully repeal Obamacare (H.R. 45) and voted to defund Obamacare. Obamacare is contributing negatively to the already sluggish economy, as implementation costs are rising and people are losing their health insurance plans, only to find them replaced with plans that cost more and have higher deductibles.

Voted to oppose the extension of the debt ceiling (S. 540) in February 2014. S. 540 was referred to as a "clean" suspension of the debt ceiling, which means that this legislation did not include any legislative language to cut spending or institute fiscal reforms. I would have preferred a proposal that included meaningful provisions to ensure the federal government spends your tax dollars more wisely. The United States has a serious debt problem, and I do not take lightly our responsibility to pay bills and get our debt under control.

Received the "Guardian of Small Business Award" from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in 2012.

Recognized as a Hero of Main Street in 2013 and 2014 by the National Retail Federation.

Received the National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) Legislative Excellence Award in 2013, which recognizes Members of Congress whose legislative records support policies that enable American manufacturers to compete in the global marketplace.

Member of several Congressional caucuses, including the Coal Caucus, Dairy Farmers Caucus, and E-Tech Caucus, all of which serve to promote American job growth in their respective workforce.

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