It hasn’t mattered where I am around Arkansas this week…
At the supermarket.
At the gas pump.
At the restaurant.
At the department store.
At home when the utility bill comes.
At their small business.
Every person and small business I’ve spoken to is talking about inflation. The current state of the economy leaves no question that we need to reverse the policies put in place by the Biden Administration and Democrat majority.
The June jobs report reiterated this. Inflation ate up any wage gains last month, meaning paychecks are shrinking once again, and the labor force participation rate fell at a time when it should be expanding. We remain millions of jobs below pre-pandemic trends. Why?
The White House and congressional Democrats’ $2 trillion so-called COVID stimulus helped fuel 40-year high inflation. Even former Obama-Biden White House economic advisor Jason Furman attributed part of current inflationary pressure to the massive bill. Economists who have been cited as favorable toward President Biden’s policies have also criticized his agenda and cautioned about worsening inflation. These warnings were not heeded. In fact, the impact of out-of-control spending was then exacerbated by policies that hampered the labor market. Instead of growing the economy, these decisions damaged it.
Americans are trying to keep up with rising costs while the White House tries to keep up with its talking points. We've gone from inflation “doesn’t exist” to it’s “transitory,” a “high-class problem,” and “Putin’s fault.”
The American people have the receipts. Inflation has gone up nearly every month of this presidency. Recession warnings are looming, and overall inflation is running higher in America than in Europe. What can be done?
First, we need to return to a pro-growth agenda to usher in a strong economy and prosperity.
End the “emergency” spending and repurpose hundreds of millions of unspent past emergency COVID funding towards reducing the deficit.
Halt the pursuit of crippling tax hikes. Democrats have made clear they want to raise taxes in pursuit of their socialist spending government agenda. Policies should ensure individuals and families can keep more of their hard-earned money and incentivize companies to invest in the U.S.
Strengthen opportunity and safeguard our supply chains by unleashing a “Made in America” business environment. We need to further modernize trade agreements to increase market access for U.S. goods, while also benefiting American consumers.
Unleash American energy. Prices at the gas station have skyrocketed because President Biden has waged war on American-made energy. Real power comes from us creating our own. Instead of turning from one dictator to another, we should unleash American production and pursue an all-of-the-above energy approach. That means reversing the White House’s policies that left us beholden to foreign adversaries and compounded the pain we’ve been feeling at the pump for months. True energy independence means restoring American production and dominance.
Spur economic growth and job opportunities by reining in government overreach. We need to cut unnecessary red tape and review regulations for the impact they have on prices.
Stop misguided policies that are paying more to stay at home than work. We need to end the Democrats’ focus on welfare-without-work schemes and, instead, incentivize people to take advantage of the opportunities across the nation. Main Street businesses are struggling to find employees, and labor demand issues—alongside inflation—are being passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
I introduced amendments to the Democratic appropriations bills earlier this month to implement many of these points, but they were rejected by my friends on the other side of the aisle.
It is past time for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to realize their failed policies are making it harder and harder to put food on the table, gas in the tank, keep a roof over their head, and money in their wallets and savings. I will continue doing my part to stop the reckless spending agenda and advocate for pro-growth initiatives, which have always led to a strong economy, rising wages, and growing opportunity.
I will be back in Washington next week for legislative business. Wishing you a great weekend ahead. You can keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from my office. |