Issue Position: Economic Security and Opportunity

Issue Position

America's economy has long been the most vibrant and prosperous in the world. But the earlier financial crash and a slow and difficult recovery have caused hardship for millions of hard-working American families. At a time of widespread uncertainty, Nebraskans can proudly point to our economy as a model of security and opportunity.

Nebraska has remained resilient during the national economic downturn. Our strong family farms and ranches, a robust small business and manufacturing environment, and a diverse market of financial services and technology have provided opportunity for many Nebraska families. Even more important is the longstanding Nebraskan value of making sound and prudent financial decisions. Our state maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and is at or near the top of many national fiscal health surveys. The success of economies depends on the values of the people who form them.

The "Nebraska model" has much to offer Washington. Our federal government should promote security and opportunity by encouraging small business entrepreneurship within local economies and by making smart budgeting priorities. I have long promoted structural budgetary reforms, including a balanced budget requirement, the presidential line-item veto, and a biennium budgeting plan, with the aim of bringing discipline to the federal budgeting process.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have front-line responsibilities for delivering effective government policies within reasonable budgets.

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