Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy

Issue Position

My number one priority in Congress is to work and implement a legislative agenda that supports long-term economic growth through increasing at-home manufacturing, innovation, and investments in our infrastructure. Small businesses are a critical part of economic recovery for our nation because they are the leading source of new job growth.

Exports from Northwest Washington create jobs and connect us to the rest of the world. I have worked to help small businesses export their products. I support trade policies that promote exports and create jobs here at home. Approximately one in three jobs in Washington is tied to foreign exports, and the pay for these jobs is about 46% more than the overall state average. And, the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) recently announced new export data that shows Washington merchandise exports increased 16 percent in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, growing from $30.3 billion to $35.1 billion. When Washington state businesses export, they create jobs here.

To help our local economy, have established a District Export Promotion Program to help link small businesses with local, state, and federal resources that help companies sell their products to other countries and create jobs here at home. The District Export Promotion Program helps small and medium sized businesses export their products -- not their jobs -- overseas.

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