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U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the two infrastructure votes this afternoon.
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding his call for Senate Democrats and the President to work with Republicans on bipartisan proposals that can help create jobs:
Senate Republicans urged Democrats and the president to abandon the president's failed economic policies -- policies that even some Democrats now oppose -- and work with Republicans on bills that both Republicans and Democrats can support.
Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor Monday regarding his call for Senate Democrats and the President to work with Republicans on bipartisan proposals that can create jobs:
Of late, the president has spent his time defending his economic policies and blaming others for our struggling economy, but even members of his own party think that the president's economic proposals have failed. Instead of the same old costly, temporary, and government-heavy solutions proposed yet again by the president, Congress needs to focus on freeing up the private sector to create jobs by reducing taxes, lowering the deficit, and eliminating burdensome government regulations.
In the Weekly Republican Address, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr contrasts President Obama's call for more Washington spending with Republicans' proposals to get government out of the way of job creators.
Sen. Burr says, "Some in Washington, including the President, are suggesting that we simply spend more money. We've already tried that - it did not spur job growth then, and it won't now. The American people realize that this is not about how much money Washington can spend. It's about getting government out of the way and creating the climate for growth and jobs."
He explains, "The President has even ignored the suggestions of his own commission. Rather than implement even a single one of the strategic reforms and investments suggested by Simpson-Bowles, we continue to ignore our fiscal problems and focus only on spending more money and expanding the size of the federal government. This lack of fiscal discipline is unsustainable and cannot continue -- you know it, and I know it. The longer we kick the can down the road, the more difficult it will be to address our real problems and spur real job growth."
"Fortunately, Sen. Burr says, "there is an alternative to the President's approach. While some in Washington are focused on creating more government jobs, Republicans want to drive job creation in the private sector.
"We have a jobs proposal that would:
1. Simplify and stabilize the tax code
2. Rein in government regulations
3. Cap spending and reduce budget deficits
4. Propose common sense healthcare solutions
5. Encourage domestic energy development
6. Create a competitive workforce, and
7. Increase exports
The American people deserve a debate on these issues. Our proposal is simple, and it makes it easier for businesses to thrive, grow, and hire."
He concludes, "Despite ideological differences, many of these proposals -- such as tax reform, regulatory reform, and increased trade opportunities - have the support of Republicans and Democrats. There is bipartisan agreement on the need to fundamentally reform our tax code to make it simpler, more fair, and more predictable for all Americans and job creators. The American people are hurting, and our economy is in grave danger. It's time for Congress to focus on the American people and not how difficult change might be."
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell, John Barrasso and Marco Rubio joined franchise business owners from Maryland, Virginia and Georgia to discuss the burdens that policies being pushed by Democrats in Washington are placing on businesses' ability to hire workers and grow the economy. Senate Republicans have been calling for bipartisan policies that make it easier and cheaper for businesses to expand, hire new employees and turn our economy around.
'Last night, Senate Republicans also moved ahead on legislation that private contractors who do work for federal, state, and local governments have been asking us to enact as a way to protect jobs...The best thing about this proposal: not only is it bipartisan, it's also part of the President's bill. So here's another example of something we could do for job creators that we know will actually become law. And there's no reason I can think of that this legislation shouldn't get 100 votes in the Senate.'
