Worst “Recovery” Ever for GDP Growth.  Relative to prior recessions, growth in the U.S. economy has significantly underperformed during this “recovery.” Source: Council on Foreign Relations, Quarterly Update: The U.S. Economic Recovery in Historical Context. ________________ As introduced on June 17, 2014, Ways and… Read more

At the end of this month, states across the country will be forced to put road construction projects on hold if Congress cannot address the Highway Trust Fund.  At risk are hundreds of thousands of jobs in the construction industry.  A strong infrastructure is central to commerce and, at a time when millions of Americans are packing their bags to take a vacation, or just… Read more

Thirty-Two States Have Yet to Recover Lost Jobs.  Most States have yet to recover all the jobs that were lost during the 2007-2009 recession, marking another broken stimulus promise. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. ________________ As introduced on June 17, 2014, Ways and Means Chairman Camp… Read more

Businesses all across the country are applauding H.R. 4718, which will reduce the tax burden on businesses by making permanent 50 percent bonus depreciation.  At a time when economic growth is stagnant, making certain tax policy permanent encourages businesses to grow, invest and hire.  Letter from over 100 associations representing millions of businesses and workers across… Read more

We all can agree that funding improvements to the nation’s infrastructure is vitally important to creating economic growth and promoting commerce.  An important feature of our tax reform discussion draft would provide enough revenue to maintain the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund for eight years.   Americans deserve to know that as they travel around town, go to work or… Read more

Washington, DC – Today, the Ways and Means Committee passed by voice vote a bill that would provide nearly $11 billion for highway funding – allowing projects to move forward through May 31, 2015.  Legislation that will be considered by the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon would provide a nearly identical amount of funding.   The Ways and Means package contains three… Read more

Sifting through the June jobs report suggests that when it comes to “quality jobs,” this may have been the worst June in recorded U.S. history.     Specifically, in real (i.e. not seasonally adjusted) terms, June 2014 was: The worst June ever for full-time employment growth. The only June ever in which part-time employment grew. For men, the… Read more

Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), released a package to fund transportation projects through May 31, 2015.  The package contains three policies that have all received strong bipartisan and bicameral support in the past: The two main provisions – pension smoothing ($6.4 billion) and customs user fees ($3.5 billion) – are policies the… Read more

Washington, DC -  Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) sent the following letter to the Administration ahead of this week's meetings of the U.S.-China Strategic & Economic… Read more

Men in Their Prime Working Years Are Not Working.  Millions of men in their prime working years are unemployed or have dropped out of the workforce. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. ________________ As introduced on June 17, 2014, Ways and Means Chairman Camp is listing 40 reasons for the Senate… Read more