Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

With high unemployment rates, rising foreclosures and soaring health care expenses, working American families are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. As your Representative in Congress, I will continue to diligently support initiatives that create jobs, boost our sagging economy and provide assistance to those Americans actively seeking employment.

STIMULATING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

In February 2009, Hoosiers watched as statewide unemployment nearly doubled to 9.2%. For more than a year, millions of Americans have watched their jobs disappear.

In response to our economic downturn, I became involved in bipartisan negotiations that led to the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This landmark legislation addresses our ongoing recession with initiatives that will help bring 3.5 million Americans back to work, including 75,000 across Indiana, and provide much needed tax relief to 95% of American families. Soon, unemployed workers in industries ranging from manufacturing to health care will see their job prospects greatly expanded.

PROVIDING JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

In today's struggling economy, factories are moving overseas and small businesses are closing, leaving fewer options for many hardworking Americans. Many workers are forced to retrain for an entirely new career in order to make ends meet.

In an effort to boost the Central Indiana economy, I worked with my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure $200,000 in federal funding for a job training and small business program at the John H. Boner Community Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. This funding will be used to provide job-training and workforce development services to low-income families already enrolled in the Center's homeownership program.

INCREASING YOUTH JOB OPPORTUNITIES

In order to fight rising unemployment and combat truancy in schools, I co-sponsored legislation in the 110th Congress that will provide $1 billion to cities and communities across the country for the implementation of youth job programs. This measure would create one million jobs and provide a powerful boost to our sagging economy.

EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS

With jobless claims ascending to alarming highs, more and more working Americans are in urgent need of assistance. Unfortunately, many unemployed Americans are unable to find work before their unemployment insurance runs out.

I voted in favor of legislation that will extend unemployment assistance to those American workers who have lost their jobs as a result of our receding economy. This legislation, which was signed into law, will provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to workers who have exhausted their 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits.

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