The One-Year Anniversary

Statement

This week marks the one-year anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the economic "stimulus" bill into law. President Obama and his Administration promised that the trillion-dollar bill would fix our broken economy, keep unemployment below 8 percent, and put Americans back to work.

Unfortunately, these promises have proven to be empty political rhetoric. The stimulus plan has failed to save our economy, failed to keep unemployment below 8 percent, and failed to prevent four million more Americans from losing their jobs.

The unemployment rate has risen from 7.6 percent in February 2009 to its current level of 9.7 percent. In November 2009, the unemployment rate reached 10.2 percent, marking the first time the unemployment rate surpassed 10 percent since 1983.

The Office of Minority Whip Eric Cantor produced the following video on how the rhetoric of job creation has not matched the results.

The American people have instead witnessed a massive spending binge by the Democrat-controlled Congress and Administration fueled by policies of even more spending, taxing, and borrowing. Since the enactment of the "stimulus" bill, our federal deficit has reached $1.4 trillion and our public debt rose to $12.1 trillion at the end of 2009 -- the highest debt level since the 1950s and World War II.

Broken promises are not the only reason Americans have lost confidence in the current Majority's ability to govern in Washington. The Administration has been unable to accurately measure the impact of the "stimulus" on our economy, over-reporting job creation and claiming use of funds in districts that do not exist. In a state with only 32 Congressional Districts, Texas reportedly received stimulus money earlier this year in "phantom districts" -- the 00, 52nd, 58th, 68th, 85th, 86th, and 91st. And in our 32nd District, allegedly 54.8 jobs were "created or saved" at a cost of $59,540,854 -- or $1,086,511.93 tax dollars per job.

The American people know that we cannot borrow and spend our way to economic prosperity. Yet the talk of the town in Washington, D.C. is that Democrats in Congress are threatening the American people with yet another "jobs bill." This country cannot afford more failed polices of borrowing, taxing and spending.

Congress needs to offer the American public real solutions that put Americans back to work, create opportunities for small businesses to grow and expand, and ensure an opportunity for future economic prosperity for all. My Republican colleagues and I will continue to propose common-sense, pro-growth policies in the 111th Congress and stand ready to work with the Majority and President Obama to provide real relief for American families and businesses.

News from the 32nd District
This week, Congress was in recess for the President's Day District Work Period, allowing Members time to return to our districts and meet with constituents about the policies before Congress. I was pleased to speak this week at the East Dallas Rotary Club, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Congressional Business Forum, the Oak Cliff Lions Club, and a government class at Greenhill School.

East Dallas Rotary Club
As an honorary member of the East Dallas Rotary Club, I was glad to meet with the Rotary Club members on Tuesday to talk about what is going on in Washington and how it affects them.

We had a candid conversation about the tax, borrow, and spend policies of this Congress and how these policies undermine American competitiveness. Along with fiscal responsibility, Congress' priority should be job creation, ensuring economic growth and American competitiveness in a global economy. That is why I support pro-growth policies that allow American families to keep their hard-earned money, provide incentives to spur business investment, and ensure stability in the financial markets.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Congressional Business Forum
Several times a year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosts a Congressional Business Forum in the Dallas area for Members of Congress to discuss current economic policies and our priorities for American businesses. On Wednesday, I was pleased to be the featured speaker for the Congressional Business Forum, held in Irving. Congressional Democrats' tax and regulatory assault on job-creators --American businesses -- has further hindered our nation's ability to recover from the recession.

As you may know, the U.S. has the second highest corporate tax rate in the world. I share the Chamber of Commerce's commitment to supporting pro-growth policies that will fuel job creation and build economic growth -- including tax relief for American businesses to grow, invest, and hire more workers.

Oak Cliff Lions Club
Also on Wednesday, I met with over 150 members of the Oak Cliff Lions Club, of which I am also a member. Together we discussed current economic policies and what it will take to pull out of the recession and get Americans back to work. Attendees asked questions regarding congressional spending, President Obama's budget, and health care reform.

I am grateful to Oak Cliff Lions Club President Charlie Tupper for the opportunity to dialogue with other members about their perspectives on policies and what they believe is necessary to create jobs in Oak Cliff and across North Texas.

Greenhill School
In addition to meeting with business leaders and local residents, on Wednesday I visited Greenhill School in Addison -- a co-educational day school with over 1,200 students. Specifically, I met with students in AP government classes where we discussed the role of government, current policies, and their future responsibility to participate in the process of democracy.

The students asked questions regarding the economy, combating terrorism, and my work on the House Rules Committee. I commend the students for their thoughtful questions and dedication in learning about public policy and government operations.

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