New Year Brings New Opportunities to Work Together on Jobs, Economic Growth

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New Year Brings New Opportunities to Work Together on Jobs, Economic Growth Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's State of the Union address which launched the War on Poverty. Today, roughly 50 million Americans live below the poverty line. Forty-seven million Americans receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (food stamps), 13 million more than January 2009.  Unemployment is still around 7 percent, and jobs that were lost several years ago aren't returning quickly, but this isn't new. Unemployment rates each month of 2013 hovered at or around that same mark. Furthermore, government programs – in particular, ObamaCare – are causing employers to reduce hours to comply with various mandates and regulations. This week, the Democrat-led Senate and the President are focused on temporarily renewing extended unemployment benefits, which expands basic unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to a maximum of 73 weeks. Unfortunately, they are not acting on the most important anti-poverty initiative of all: job creation. We cannot continue to throw money we don't have at problems and expect success. At the end of the day, whether or not these benefits are extended, we'll still have millions of Americans that can't find work. To these families, it doesn't matter who has an R or D behind their name, it matters whether or not they can find a good-paying job that empowers them to provide for their families. The President and the Senate must act on the dozens of House-passed bills that create an environment which encourages job creation by eliminating unnecessary red tape and regulations, lowering taxes and encouraging domestic energy production, to name a few. I believe the president repeatedly implies that Republicans, because they are committed to fiscal responsibility, don't care about those in need across this country. Nothing could be further from the truth, but I didn't come to Washington to continue the status quo and support temporary, expensive band-aids that do nothing to address the real problems we have as a nation. Congress spends far too much time working from crisis to crisis, and it's time we look for real solutions. Few things in life are as rewarding as a hard day's work and the pride and satisfaction that stems from providing for your family. My mother was a bank teller and my father worked in a factory manufacturing shoe heels. I watched as they worked hard to provide for our family, and I remember when my father found out that his job had been sent to Mexico. That story is one that too many Americans know well, but it's one we can work together to change. Job creation remains my top priority in Congress, and I am willing to work with anyone—from either side of the aisle—to advance legislation to lower unemployment and foster economic growth. House Republicans have put forth proposals to do just that, and you can find more information about those initiatives at http://www.gop.gov/jobs/.   We're losing the War on Poverty, but throwing money at the problem won't fix it. We must put party politics aside, stop blaming our colleagues across the aisle and work together on job creation. I'm ready to do that, Speaker Boehner and the majority of members in the House of Representatives have proven we are ready to do that, and I hope President Obama and Senate Democrats will join us. Feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance to you or your family. Our contact information can be found on our website, www.roe.house.gov. CONNECT WITH US E-News Sign-up Forward to a Friend Contact Phil TAKE A SURVEY Do you think basic unemployment benefits should be extended from 26 to a maximum of 73 weeks? Yes, I believe basic unemployment benefits should be extended.  No, I do not believe basic unemployment benefits should be extended.  I am unsure at this time.          Choose Your Answer Washington, DC Office 407 Cannon House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6356 Fax: (202) 225-5714 Kingsport Office PO Box 1728 Kingsport, TN 37662 Phone: (423) 247-8161 Fax: (423) 247-0119 Morristown Office 1609 College Park Drive, Suite 4 Morristown, TN 37813 Phone: (423) 254-1400 Fax: (423) 254-1403