Remarks by Representative Buerkle on Jobs and Full Repeal of the President's Health Care Law

Delivering the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY) talks about how the disappointing June jobs report adds to the urgency of fully repealing the president's health care law, which is driving up costs and making it harder for small businesses to hire new workers. The House will vote next week on full repeal of the president's health care law as part of Republicans' focus on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation. The House will also act in the coming weeks to rein in job-crushing red tape and stop the massive tax hike on small businesses that is scheduled to take effect on January 1st. "Middle-class families know what has to be done," Rep. Buerkle says, "and they shouldn't have to stomach another dismal jobs report before we take action to rebuild our economy and renew the promise of the American Dream."

The text of Buerkle's Weekly Republican Address is below and the audio can be heard by clicking here. Video of the address can also be viewed and downloaded, and will air on CSPAN tonight at approximately 6:20 p.m., following President Obama's weekly address.

"Hello, I'm Ann Marie Buerkle from Central New York. I grew up working at my parents' grocery store, the Mohegan Market on Genesee St., in Auburn, NY. I went on to become a nurse and then a health care attorney in Syracuse. Eighteen months ago, I had the honor of being sworn-in to the United States House of Representatives.

"The opportunities available to me were all part of the American Dream. These days, however, that dream has been put on hold for too many people. Just look at yesterday's jobs report, the latest in a string of bad news about the economy. Unemployment is stuck at 8.2 percent -- higher than it was when President Obama took office, and much higher than his administration promised it would be with the "stimulus' in effect.

"The American people know what has to be done -- get Washington out of the way, empower individuals and small businesses, let them flourish -- but the president still refuses to change course. He's doubling down on policies that are holding us back and making things worse, starting with his health care law, which is driving up costs and making it harder for small businesses to hire workers.

"The health care law, which carries an astronomical price tag and a mess of regulations, taxes and fees, fosters a climate of uncertainty and instability throughout our economy. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 74 percent of small businesses say this law makes it more difficult to hire new employees. A big part of the problem came to light recently when the United States Supreme Court ruled that the mandate at the heart of this law is actually a massive tax.

"The Court's decision and yesterday's jobs report add to the urgency of repealing the president's health care law in its entirety, and next week, the House will vote to do just that.

"If a town hall meeting I held earlier in the week is any indication, this vote can't come soon enough. The president may think this matter is settled, but for the hardworking taxpayers and small business owners in my district, anxiety over his health care law is only growing more and more palpable. A few days ago, I heard from a small business owner who had just learned his health costs will jump by 15 to 19 percent, starting in January. Last week, a local manufacturer called this health care law the "worst … speed bump that we've come across in at least a generation.' Think about that.

"This health care law just flies in the face of what America is supposed to be, and repealing it would revitalize our economy and the values upon which our country was founded. Then we would finally be able to pursue a common-sense, step-by-step approach that protects Americans' access to the care they need, from the doctor they choose, at a lower cost. As a mother of six and someone who's spent most of my professional life in health care, I know how important it is to ensure families and doctors make these decisions -- not Washington.

"Of course, we can't stop there. As part of the Republican jobs plan, the House has passed more than 30 bills to remove government barriers to economic growth. On top of that, we will act by early August to rein in job-crushing red tape and stop the tax hike on small business owners that is scheduled to take effect on January 1st. With so much at stake, we urge President Obama and our Democratic colleagues to consider these ideas and to work with us.

"Middle-class families know what has to be done, and they shouldn't have to stomach another dismal jobs report before we take action to rebuild our economy and renew the promise of the American Dream.

"Thank you for listening. May God bless our military, our veterans, and may God bless the United States of America."

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