Todd Tiahrt: “today America has the number one economy in the world. It is the envy of the world. But there are dark clouds in the…”

“today America has the number one economy in the world. It is the envy of the world. But there are dark clouds in the West, and an economic storm is brewing. Last year our trade deficit was over $670 billion, our Federal deficit was over $300 billion, and our economy lost many high-quality, high-paying jobs. Many in Congress have blamed big corporations for letting profits outweigh people. They have called the CEOs Benedict Arnold CEOs. Mr. Speaker, I think these Members are wrong and misguided. There are two divisions of costs for those who keep and create jobs in America. Entrepreneurs, small businessmen, small businesswomen and CEOs have costs they can control and costs they cannot control. It is the costs that they cannot control that have been driven by Congress. Barriers have been created by Congress over the last generation. Good intentions resulting in bad regulation has caused us to lose many of our jobs. {time} 1515 Mr. Speaker, I am forming the Economic Competitive Caucus to deal with these issues by removing these barriers. With my colleagues' help, we will remove the barriers, bring back jobs, and make America competitive well into the future. ____________________”