The differences between the bipartisan, House-passed “Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act” and what the Senate did so it could go on vacation could not be clearer. The House bill put the American people first.  It provided certainty for middle-class families struggling to make ends meet by extending the payroll tax holiday; It provided certainty for those left… Read more

There are four important facts everyone should know about The Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act: It will strengthen our economy and help get Americans back to work by lowering that tax burden for middle class families and job providers alike. It prevents massive cuts to doctors working in the Medicare program to protect America’s seniors and those with… Read more

I come to the floor today in support of permanently repealing the onerous, job-killing 3 percent withholding law.  During House action last month, this legislation garnered more than 400 votes for repeal and passed, as amended, with an overwhelming 95 votes in the Senate last week.     The legislation, which has been championed by Ways and Means Health Subcommittee… Read more

I come to the floor today in strong support of H.R. 674 to repeal the onerous, job-killing 3 percent withholding law.  While this legislation has 269 cosponsors, I’d like to acknowledge the leaders on the bill – Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Wally Herger and our Democrat Ways and Means colleague Congressman Earl Blumenauer.  In addition to these advocates, we also… Read more

I am pleased to come to the floor today and share my time with one of our committee’s newest members – Representative Diane Black.  In taking the lead on this legislation, Ms. Black has identified an area of poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars and she has taken steps to save taxpayers $13 billion.  I am happy to support her and this legislation. H.R. 2576 modifies the income… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Speaker, today is a good day.  Many of us have been working for years for the opportunity to approve our pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.  We have called on the President throughout his term to submit all three agreements to Congress, but opposition among some Democrats led many to believe that we would have to… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Speaker, I urge rapid passage of this legislation to implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.  This agreement enjoys broad bipartisan support, and it is clear why:  it levels the trade playing field between the U.S. and Panama; it is good for U.S. companies, workers, and farmers; and it advances our national security and leadership… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) The U.S.-Korea agreement is the most commercially significant trade agreement considered by the Congress in 17 years.  And it couldn’t come at a better time.  With the unemployment rate stuck stubbornly above nine percent, we must seek out and take advantage of all opportunities to create American jobs.  This agreement, known as KORUS, will do… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2832, the bill which renews the Generalized System of Preferences program and also contains the Trade Adjustment Extension Act of 2011.  This bill is the cornerstone of a carefully crafted bipartisan, bicameral agreement that prompted the President to send the three trade agreements to Congress last Monday and,… Read more

(Remarks as Prepared) Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that we have finally reached this important moment.  Next month we will mark five years since the United States and Colombia signed the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.  U.S. workers and job-creating exporters have had to wait for far too long for the President to submit this promising agreement to Congress, but… Read more