Creating Jobs should be our Top Priority on this Labor Day

Statement

While Labor Day is recognized as the traditional end of summer, it is more importantly, a day to honor American workers and recognize their contributions to society. Unfortunately, this might be one of the grimmest Labor Days we have celebrated in almost a generation.

More than 14 million Americans are currently looking for work. More than 8 million have taken part time jobs because full-time jobs are unavailable. And, millions more are so frustrated by their inability to find work that they have given up the search for now. As our economy continues to struggle and businesses wrestle with the uncertainty, more and more Americans are becoming concerned about their economic futures.

The time has come for the majority in Congress and the White House to reverse course. One of the biggest concerns I hear from small, medium and large businesses alike is that they are hesitant to expand or hire because of the tax and regulatory uncertainty coming from Washington . They know that their taxes will increase if Congress does not renew the expiring tax cuts. Small businesses know that following the President's plan will subject almost 50% of small business income to higher taxes. They are uncertain as to how the recently passed health care overhaul and its 160 boards, bureaucracies, programs, commissions and the thousands of pages of new federal regulations it is spawning will impact their ability to provide benefits to their workers.

Congress needs to end the uncertainty that is hampering economic growth and job creation. We can start by making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent. Let's reduce the regulatory barriers that leave small business owners scratching their heads and running off to a local attorney or CPA for advice on navigating complicated federal rules.

The new federal health care law, along with its bureaucracies, programs, commissions and regulations must be replaced with real reform. Reform that allows people to keep the coverage they have, actually lowers premiums and makes health care more affordable.

And, let's show that we are serious about getting our fiscal house in order by at least starting to cut federal spending. We can start by enacting the $117.4 billion worth of cuts proposed under the Republican Conference's "YouCut" initiative.

It should be clear that government spending, borrowing, and debt has not delivered the promised results. It is time for Congress to move in a new direction that allows the private sector to do what it does best -- create jobs.

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