Acting to Increase Jobs in American Manufacturing
I voted to pass legislation last week that is designed to promote and increase U.S. manufacturing jobs. The “U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010,” H.R. 4380, is expected to support tens of thousands of American jobs, reduce the cost of doing business, promote U.S. manufacturing and production, and increase the gross domestic product (GDP) by billions of dollars. The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 378-43.
This bill will create good-paying jobs for hardworking American families while creating an atmosphere that will encourage economic and employment growth for a long time. There is no question in my mind that my work in crafting and voting for common-sense, bipartisan legislation to create and sustain jobs, such as the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act, is some of the most important work I do.
Fostering “Green” Jobs
Last week, I chaired a hearing in the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade dealing with new regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that could stop small businesses in the recycling industry from converting coal-fired power plant waste (coal ash) into safe, ecofriendly building products.
Entrepreneurs have developed safe uses for coal ash, recycling 50 million tons in construction products like concrete, cement and gypsum wallboard. The designation of coal combustion byproducts as hazardous waste could raise utility rates and cause layoffs in small businesses. Innovative North Carolina entrepreneurs are working hard to help reduce pollution and replace the jobs we’ve lost to outsourcing by creating good-paying jobs here at home.
It’s important to foster green industries that put people back to work and promote a healthier environment for our children and grandchildren.
Participating in Signing Landmark Wall Street Reform Legislation into Law
As a member of the conference committee, the small bipartisan group that worked to reach a compromise on the different versions of The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed by the House and Senate, I had the opportunity to take part in the signing ceremony for this legislation that will usher in a new era of consumer protection for taxpayers and small businesses.
The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is a direct response to the financial meltdown we saw in 2008, and the subsequent loss of 8 million American jobs. As he signed the bill, President Obama called its provisions “the strongest consumer financial protections in history.” I am proud to have been a part of the process that allowed those protections to become law. This bill’s common-sense reforms will protect hard-working American families and small businesses and set the stage for their future financial success.
###
