Issue Position: Jobs and Economy

Issue Position

Although our economy continues to rebound, too many people are still looking for work, worrying about their mortgage and uncertain about their ability to retire. Middle-class families in Tenth District and across the country have been hit hard by the economic downturn and continue to struggle, which is why bolstering our economy is my top priority in Congress.

Key to strengthening our economy and expanding job growth is helping our small businesses succeed, improving our education system and investing in infrastructure and research and development.

Small Businesses:

As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I understand how, in an era of uncertainty in Washington, small businesses struggle to make long-term decisions, including whether or not they should hire new workers or invest in new technologies.

Still, in the last two decades, small businesses have created 60 percent of all new jobs and they are the driving force behind economic expansion and middle-class prosperity. We must work to provide both the regulatory environment and tools necessary for small businesses to thrive.

Education:

A quality education is critical to preparing our future generations to compete in a global, high-tech economy. Education should be our greatest competitive advantage. Our schools must emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs as well as broad liberal arts curricula. Additionally, we must offer simple, affordable paths for students who wish to attend college or job training, easing the crushing burden of student loan debt. Educating our children to compete in the 21st Century is one of the best ways to ensure our long-term economic growth.

Research and Development:

As we continue to look for ways to address our nation's budget deficit, we cannot lose sight of the importance of sustained investment in research and development. American innovation changed the world and the next generation of breakthroughs in health care, energy and manufacturing will be the direct result of private ingenuity and public support. Continued investment in our infrastructure--our highways, bridges, ports and tunnels--is an investment in our future and will be critical to rebuilding our economy.

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