Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

Values

The nation's unemployment rate has hovered over 7 percent--an unacceptably high figure--for far too long. During a time of the largest budget deficits in U.S. history, the national debt has skyrocketed to more than $17 trillion. The government is out of money. We need solutions that promote job creation and rein in government spending, resulting in economic growth.

One of the best ways to create jobs is to get the government out of the way. The hard work and determination of our people made this country into the great nation it is today. Many parts of Southside and Southwest Virginia have experienced higher than average unemployment rates for years. Lower taxes, sensible regulation, and a playing field not tilted so heavily towards foreign countries will allow private enterprises in Southside and Southwest Virginia to regain their competitive advantage due to innovation and a strong work ethic.

Actions

Received the National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM) Legislative Excellence Award on February 19, 2013, which recognizes Members of Congress whose legislative records support policies that enable American manufacturers to compete in the global marketplace.

Voted to support the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 (H.R. 367). For all new major regulations with an economic impact of $100 million or more, H.R. 367 requires an up-or-down vote by both the House and the Senate and the signature of the President before they can be enforced on the American public. The REINS Act would restore congressional accountability by requiring Congress and the President to approve major rules before they can be enforced against the American people. It would improve the regulatory process by making Members of Congress accountable to their constituents for the regulations that go into effect, and would prevent unnecessary regulations that the American people do not want.

Cosponsored the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 (H.R. 1406). H.R. 1406 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to allow private sector employers and employees to establish agreements that provide for compensatory time off in lieu of monetary overtime compensation -- an option that is currently available for federal, state, and local government employees. Specifically, H.R. 1406 authorizes compensatory time off at a rate of no less than one and one half hours for each hour of overtime worked.

Voted to support the SKILLS Act (H.R. 803). H.R. 803 reforms our nation's workforce development system, including the streamlining of duplicative and ineffective job training programs. In 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified more than 47 programs that were ineffective or duplicative. H.R. 803 streamlines federal workforce development programs, eliminating and consolidating 35 programs, including 26 identified in the GAO report.

Voted to support the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013 (H.R. 2218), which would provide for the safe management and disposal of coal combustion residuals by setting enforceable federal standards while allowing states to craft their own permitting programs. H.R.2218 would also prevent EPA's classification of coal ash as a hazardous substance. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a rule to potentially classify fossil fuel combustion wastes, otherwise known as coal ash or fly ash, as a hazardous waste; this designation would completely stop American businesses from recycling these materials into a number of useful products, such as concrete mixtures for our roads, bridges, and buildings. EPA's new proposed rule would destroy jobs, raise electricity prices, and increase costs for several industries that beneficially reuse coal ash.

Cosponsored the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3), which would approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by removing the requirement for a Presidential permit and grant additional federal permits required for the project. There is no question that construction of the Keystone XL would be a major American job creator. President Obama and the State Department have slow-walked Keystone XL's approval process, but it is time to build. I voted to clear the way for the Keystone XL pipeline because of its contributions to our energy security and the jobs it would create for the American people.

Supported legislation to fully repeal Obamacare (H.R. 45) and voted to defund Obamacare during the most recent debt ceiling negotiations. Obamacare is contributing negatively to the already sluggish economy, as implementation costs are rising and people are losing their health insurance plans, only to find them replaced with plans that cost more and have higher deductibles.

Received the "Guardian of Small Business Award" from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on Thursday, September 13, 2012.

Recognized as a 2013 Hero of Main Street by the National Retail Federation.

Member of several Congressional caucuses, including the Coal Caucus, Dairy Farmers Caucus, and E-Tech Caucus, all of which serve to promote American job growth in their respective workforce.

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