Americans should not have to wait until after the November elections for solutions to the problems that we face.  Leaders in Washington should be focused on governing.  This year offers an opportunity to restore America’s confidence to spur job creation and put America back on the right path. 

Job creation and economic growth remain the most important goals for this year.  With more than one in ten Mississippians looking for employment, uncertainty continues to impede hiring.  Small businesses are unable to project costs and demands, so they are less likely to employ new workers. 

Cutting Federal Spending

It has been nearly 1,000 days since the Democrat-controlled Senate passed a budget.  A spending outline is necessary to tackle our debt.  Majority Leader Harry Reid needs to bring a budget to the Senate floor for debate.  His continuing failure to do so blocks any serious attempt at solving the federal debt problem.

In just three years, the Obama Administration has added nearly $4.5 trillion to the national debt.  The failed stimulus bill and Obamacare are just two examples of the out of control spending that President Obama has advocated.  I voted against these two proposals, but Democrat supermajorities in the House and Senate gave a blank check to the President during his first two years in office.

Many Democrats, including the President, have pushed to raise taxes to fund even more federal spending.  Washington has a spending problem, and higher taxes would only worsen it.

Increased Energy Supplies

Increasing American-produced energy remains one way to help relieve the federal deficit and quickly drive job creation.  We have a majority of the world’s energy supplies.  However, government regulation and the lack of a comprehensive energy policy needlessly limit our ability to reduce our dependence on foreign oil sources.  The Keystone XL pipeline would create jobs and increase our energy supplies.  In addition, new leases and permits for production in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Western United States would generate revenue and lead to good paying jobs here at home. 

Gas prices averaged $3.50 per gallon in 2011.  Mississippians were forced to spend more at the pump, stressing already stretched budgets even more, and prices could skyrocket further as Iran continues to threaten strategic oil chokepoints.  It is more important than ever that America use our domestic energy resources responsibly.

A Rocky Start to 2012

Last week, President Obama took the unprecedented step of making four recess appointments while Congress was not in recess.  Leaders of both parties in the Senate negotiated an agreement specifically to prevent just such a move from happening, but the President chose to reject the checks and balances that the Constitution outlines.  President Obama’s actions will be challenged in the courts and should be reversed.

This was a deeply troubling start to the new year.  Unfortunately, the President seems to be focused on sidestepping Congress as part of his reelection strategy.  As we move forward, leaders in Washington should work toward solving the problems we face instead of playing political games.

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