Issue Position: Jobs and Economy

Issue Position

Creating long-term job growth in Michigan is my top priority in Congress. - Tim

With Michigan having one the highest unemployment rates in the nation, it is critical to increase both Michigan's and America's global competitiveness in order to ensure that there are good paying, high-skilled jobs. I believe that taking the following practical steps will help us create long-term economic growth:

Reduce Tax Burden
America needs to distance itself from a tax system that seeks to raise taxes on hard-working American families and job-creators. We need a comprehensive tax reform to make our tax code simpler, fairer and encourage investment for a healthy economy. Independent economists estimate that, when coupled with reduced federal spending, comprehensive tax reform could lead to the creation of 1 million jobs in the first year alone. I support the bipartisan efforts to get this accomplished.

Expand Education and Workforce Development Opportunities
As a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I've been working to ensure everyone has access to the best educational opportunities, which in turn will develop workers with the right skills and keep our nation competitive. In March 2013, I voted in support of H.R. 803, the SKILLS Act, to streamline duplicative workforce development programs and provide local leaders, workforce boards, and employers with much-needed flexibility to match job seekers with the right skills. More recently, the House and Senate agreed to a bipartisan compromise to reform our workforce development system which I voted in favor of in July 2014. The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) represents a compromise between the two chambers which will modernize and improve our existing federal workforce development programs and was signed into law by the President on July 22, 2014.

Replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
Please know I will continue to strongly support legislation that aims to replace PPACA, or better known as Obamacare, with more effective solutions that promote consumer choice, decrease health care costs and improve access to care. In July 2013 I agreed toco-sponsor H.R. 2300 the Empowering Patients First Act, which would repeal PPACA and replace it with patient-centered solutions that promote consumer choice, decrease health care costs and improve access to care. To view a list of actions Congress has already taken to date to repeal the heath care law, please visit here.

Reduce Harmful Regulations
While some government regulations are important, excessive federal regulation stifles our nations' job creators by creating an uncertain business climate. Eliminating these burdensome regulations will encourage increased investment and new hiring. The first step Congress can take in fighting harmful regulations is to identify and eliminate current and pending regulations that hinder economic growth, while requiring Congressional review of any new regulations that will significantly impact our economy. In August 2013 I voted in support of H.R. 367, the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, which requires Congressional approval of regulations that cost over $100 million.

Invest in Research and Development
Michigan's economic turnaround depends on manufacturers innovating, growing and expanding. In May 2014, I voted in support of H.R. 4438, the American Research and Competitiveness Act, to permanently extend the Research and Development tax credit so we can keep high-tech, high-paying jobs in Michigan and encourage further investment in American businesses.

Trade
We need to develop trade policies that are free, fair and enforce trade laws that keep our trading partners accountable.

Reduce Government Spending
With record deficits and a high unemployment rate, we need to begin spending federal dollars like a responsible American family or business. Every federal dollar that is saved now is a dollar that is not borrowed and owed by future generations in the form of higher taxes and interest payments. In April 2014, I voted to balance our federal budget in 10 years while reducing spending by $5.1 trillion.

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