Countywide News & Sun - Finding Common Ground to Create Jobs

Op-Ed

By Representative James Lankford

Sometimes events in Washington seem a million miles away from Oklahoma. Members of Congress, the President and other government leaders constantly talk about various issues without clarifying the impact actions will have on the lives of everyday Americans. Reality becomes clear, however, when taxes, regulations and restrictions kick in and start to affect our businesses and local economy.

Traveling between Washington and Oklahoma every week, I recognize firsthand how government creates obstacles that hurt our small businesses and middle class. This fuels my daily work with colleagues toward removing the barriers that hinder our economy and creating a positive environment for private sector job growth.

When Republicans gained the majority in the House after last year's elections, we immediately implemented a plan for job creation. In January, we set forth an agenda that targeted all areas needed for economic growth in our country. We introduced and passed bills that would simplify the tax code, streamline regulations on business, restore fiscal confidence with budget and entitlement reforms, increase energy production, and boost manufacturing through free trade.

Unfortunately, most of the progress made in the House has died the slow death of indifference in the Senate. At least 15 pieces of legislation targeting job creation currently sit idle on the steps of the upper chamber--without being given the chance for debate or vote. This stack of idle bills continues to grow and has been nicknamed the "Forgotten 15" since the Senate ignores their existence.

Despite the continued failure of the Senate to pass a budget, there are areas where Republicans and Democrats have found common ground. In the past month alone, we have come together on two important issues that will provide opportunity and stability for businesses.

Congress has ratified the long overdue free trade agreements with Korea, Panama and Colombia with broad, bipartisan support. Because of the high demand for our products in these countries, the new agreements will increase our exports and create quality jobs right here in America. Of the 17 existing free trade agreements, we currently run trade surpluses in 15, which means that we sell more goods than we purchase in those countries. Free trade is currently supporting more than 17,000 jobs in Oklahoma, so our state will benefit from these new trade agreements, especially within machinery and agriculture.

The House also passed a bill that will repeal a 3 percent withholding fee on payments for all contractors doing business with federal, state and local governments. Repealing the 3 percent fee means more working capital for employers short on cash. More than 400 members of the House supported the repeal, the White House has endorsed it, and the Senate should take it up soon.

There are many more no-cost and low-cost economic solutions that will encourage private sector job creation without adding to our deficit. House Republicans have works tirelessly during 2011 in pursuit of these opportunities; we just need a little help from our friends in the Senate. We are looking forward to finding common ground and helping Americans get back to work.

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