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This week, House Democrats passed the Raise the Wage Act, scoring a political point for their radical leftist base at the expense of our nation's job creators and workers--especially women, young people and those with less than a high school diploma. It would more than double the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025 and then automatically increase it each year after. On its face, this arbitrary one-size-fits-all government mandate makes no economic sense, especially during the midst of a 50-year low for unemployment and already rising wages thanks to Republican tax reform and regulatory relief.
Even worse, Democrats completely disregard the government's own study which found that a $15 minimum wage would cost up to 3.7 million jobs. And it would hit hardest in states like North Carolina where small businesses, many with fewer than 10 employees, employ 44.3% of the private workforce. A Republican motion to recommit would have amended the Raise the Wage Act to exempt small businesses who retain fewer than 10 employees or whose annual gross income is less than $1,00,000 from the job-destroying minimum wage hikes. Democrats voted against this common-sense exemption from their extreme policy. This week, I penned an op-ed detailing how the $15 federal minimum wage would devastate our state and national economies.
| Bipartisan Obamacare Tax Repeal |
That’s right. This week, House Democrats and Republicans agreed that Obamacare should not be paid for on the backs of the middle class, as the disastrous law was written. H.R. 748, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, would remove the hidden tax on company sponsored healthcare programs, alleviating the high cost for employers and employees who often pay for the tax through higher premiums. This bipartisan bill passed overwhelmingly in the House with a vote of 419-6. Democrats appear finally to agree with Republicans that Obamacare’s taxes damage the economy and drive up health care costs. It’s also exciting to see Democrats embrace the idea that tax cuts do not need to come with tax increases in other areas. Next, we need to repeal two more damaging Obamacare taxes: an excise tax on health insurance premiums and another one on medical devices. Republicans put forth a motion to do so this week, but that was unfortunately voted down by the majority.
I will be holding an information session on U.S. Service Academies on Monday, August 5, from 9:30am to 1:30pm, at Wilkes County Community College in room 1112. High school students and parents in the 5th District are invited to learn about the opportunities and eligibility requirements of the academies. Representatives from the U.S. Service Academies will be available answer questions and provide information about the application processes. Click here for directions.
Today wraps up another great Teacher in Congress Internship week in DC! It was wonderful to have Jody Carpenter from Alleghany High School and Justin Colbert from Wilkes Central High School participate in this year's program. They learned a lot about the legislative process behind-the-scenes, and I'm sure they will take back many ideas and stories to share in their classrooms. Information about this internship and other resources for educators are available on my website. It's never too early to think about applying to be the 2020 Teacher in Congress! |
Met with Girl Scout troops from Surry, Stokes, Wilkes and Guilford Counties in the DC office on Wednesday! These bright young advocates came well-prepared with topics for our conversation including the foster care system, healthy school meals, the environment, peer pressure and school safety. |
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