Economy and Jobs

The Problem

Uncertainty is gripping our economy. It is felt by families and job creators across Nevada, and it is why our economy hasn’t recovered fast enough. The uncertainty stems from the federal government’s spending, leading families to wonder if their taxes will go up to pay for Washington’s misadventures. The uncertainty stems from government’s overly burdensome regulations, leading businesses to wonder if they will be forced to spend more money complying with regulations instead of hiring new workers.

The Solution

Job creation and turning our economy around is my top priority in Congress. As a former small-business owner, I know what it takes to run a business, make a payroll and create jobs. Since coming to Congress, I have supported several pieces of legislation that will restore fiscal discipline, reduce taxes and spur job creation in our country.

This legislation includes repealing and replacing the job-killing $1 trillion Obama health care bill and voting for H.R. 1, a bill cutting spending levels for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2011 by $100 billion. Additionally, I convened an Economic Advisory Council composed of the elements which constitute a small-business – entrepreneurs, lenders and labor – to ask what the federal government can do to help improve the economy. Based on their suggestions, I will work in Congress to help small businesses grow and create jobs by providing them with the needed access to capital and by reducing their undue tax burdens.

I cannot stress enough the importance of immediate action to improve our economy and get Nevadans back to work.  Here are several pieces of legislation I have introduced to help Nevada’s economy grow.

Jobs Legislation

H.R. 1354 - Jobs Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act will create as many 1.3 million jobs and generate as much as $859 billion in economic output by improving the State Department’s tourist visa system while maintaining our security standards.

BACKGROUND:

While global long-haul travel grew by 40 percent between 2000 and 2010, the number of those travelers coming to the United States has dropped from 17 percent to 12 percent. America’s shrinking market share is attributed to a tourist visa application process that is outdated.

H.R. 470 - Hoover Power Allocation Act will create certainty over future electricity prices for families and businesses by extending Hoover Dam’s operating contacts for another 50 years. This legislation was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2011.

BACKGROUND:

Hydroelectric power from Hoover Dam was first allocated by Congress in 1928, and has been allocated by Congress even since.  Today, more than 29 million residents in California, Nevada, and Arizona receive power from Hoover Dam.  It is some of the cleanest and cheapest power in the country, but its power contracts are scheduled to expire in five years.

H.R. 697 - Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act will create jobs and improve safety in southern Nevada by authorizing a public-private partnership to cleanup the Three Kids Mine site at no cost to the Federal Government. Due to the importance of this issue, Nevada's two senators formally re-introduced Three Kids Mine legislation to ensure its consideration by the Senate in the 113th Congress. Rep. Heck introduced the companion legislation in the House.  Reps. Mark Amodei (NV-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) are all original co-sponsors of the bill.

BACKGROUND:

The Three Kids Mine is an abandoned mine and mill site consisting of approximately 1,262 acres of Federal and private lands which lies within the Henderson City limits; it is literally across Lake Mead Parkway from an increasing number of homes and businesses.  Abandoned waste “ponds” at the site are up to 60 feet deep and filled with over one million cubic yards of gelatinous waste containing high concentrations of arsenic, lead and petroleum compounds.

For more information concerning my work and views, please contact my Washington, DC office.