Letter to Speaker Boehner on Creating Jobs

Letter

Dear Mr. Speaker:

The number one priority of the American people is creating jobs; and we hope you agree that job creation must be the number one priority of the Congress as well.

However, the floor schedule that the Republican majority has pursued and intends to pursue this week will create no jobs; indeed, spending two days, and taxpayer dollars, on a resolution calling on our committees to perform oversight functions that they are already authorized to conduct distracts from our efforts to create jobs.

We all agree that committees must conduct vigorous oversight and that is a top priority of Democrats in Congress; we should eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse from federal initiatives and stand ready to continue to work with the majority in this effort. Those are critical steps to reduce the deficit. But committees haven't needed a resolution to begin this work. Already this year, we have participated in our committee's Oversight Plans. In the last Congress, we conducted numerous oversight hearings and investigations.

This week, and in the weeks after, let's consider jobs bills that will stimulate economic growth and bring unemployment down. Let's work together to pass legislation to strengthen our manufacturing base. Democrats are ready to work with you on any effort that will create jobs, strengthen the middle class, and reduce the deficit.

Sincerely,

Louise M. Slaughter
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Rules

Henry A. Waxman
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce

John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on the Judiciary

Nick J. Rahall, II
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Edward J. Markey
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Natural Resources

Elijah E. Cummings
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

George Miller
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Education and the Workforce

Sander M. Levin
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Ways and Means

Barney Frank
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Financial Services

Nydia M. Velázquez
Ranking Democratic Member
Committee on Small Business