Jobs, the Economy and Tax Reform

We are in a global competition for jobs, and right now the deck is stacked against American companies and workers. Our overly complicated tax code, excessive regulations and general uncertainty lead to unemployment and underemployment for Hoosiers and inhibit business investment and growth in the United States. Congress should prioritize advancing the best solutions to spur economic recovery, including:

• Reforming our outdated tax code,  
• Removing costly and burdensome regulations that only inhibit business growth and do nothing to protect people, and
• Improving education and training opportunities for students of all ages.

As a supporter of pro-growth policies that stimulate the economy, create jobs and generate a fairer and simpler tax code, I have serious concerns with proposals to raise taxes on families and businesses. I believe in a low-rate tax system which fosters an environment for growth and brings certainty to the marketplace.  Restructuring our tax code so that simplicity, fairness, and economic growth are three of the main themes is a priority for the 115th Congress, and our A Better Way agenda includes a blueprint for tax reform. I am proud to have been recognized each year by the National Federation of Independent Business and the Chamber of Commerce for my support of policies and legislation that promote economic and job growth.

To get and keep a good job, every Hoosier must have the skills to compete, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to improve training and education opportunities for students of all ages. That’s why in 2017, I joined Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH), Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Mark Takano (D-CA) to introduce H.R. 2308, the 21st Century SHOP CLASS Act, legislation that would upgrade and modernize career and technical education programs in schools across the country. The 21st Century SHOP CLASS Act would define maker education and makerspaces, and amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to allow funding for maker education, makerspaces, and training for teachers in the application of maker education.

Additionally, I am a proud original cosponsor of the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act, which is now law, because I know we must ensure our colleges and universities are getting people job and career ready. This law streamlined the previous inefficient workforce development programs and ensures more dollars are invested in training workers.

I am a member of the Innovation Initiative, a group of Congressional lawmakers who are focused on policy solutions that foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the private and public sectors. As a former community college administrator, I understand the importance of bringing that same innovation and entrepreneurship to our education and training programs as we build the workforce of the future. It’s why I’m an advocate for computer science and STEM education for our students, and I’m proud to serve as co-chair of the Women’s High-Tech Coalition, and as a member of the Makers Caucus and the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Caucus. Each of these initiatives is focused on preparing our students for the careers of the future – careers in engineering, computer science, technology, science and mathematics.

In addition, each year my team and I host Connecting Careers and Classrooms events to connect local teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators with local leaders from various business sectors and government to learn more about the career paths for students in different sectors of our economy. 

To watch a speech I gave at the Innovation Initiative Forum about the importance of preparing students of all ages for the jobs of tomorrow, click here.

To read an op-ed I wrote about a new approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and helping more people support themselves and their families, click here. 

To read more about A Better Way to fuel our economy, click here. To read more about A Better Way to reform our tax code, click here. To read more about the GOP's plan for a fairer and simpler tax code, click here.