Job Creation

Floor Speech

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a lot of folks in this Chamber talk about job creation, which is important because jobs should and must be our Nation's top priority. But the solution to our economic woes isn't going to come from Washington; it's going to come from domestic industries and small businesses across this Nation.

One industry that comes to mind is the energy industry, in particular the Marcellus shale natural gas play, much of which is located in my district. During 2010, the Marcellus shale supported nearly 140,000 jobs and is projected to generate more than $12.8 billion in economic activity just in 2011. The Washington myth that government creates jobs continues to be on the lips of many inside the beltway, yet the Marcellus has been so productive in part because the Federal Government does not have direct involvement in the regulation, which remains largely in the hands of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, the government should be focused on removing barriers to growth, such as the 15 job-creating bills now passed by the House and ignored by the Senate. Here in the House, we haven't waited. It's time for our Senate colleagues to act and act now.

Source