we need comprehensive tax reform.

Tax compliance costs are especially high for small and closely-held businesses, and complex rules often prevent them from maximizing their ability to invest and create jobs.

Closely-held businesses--including millions of small and family-owned businesses--form the backbone of our economy, but our current Tax Code imposes a variety of burdens on them that public companies do not face.

Higher marginal rates on individuals, as have been proposed by others, would stunt their growth even more.

Opening new markets for U.S. businesses, workers, and farmers and strong enforcement of U.S. rights are essential to driving economic growth and job creation here in the United States.

I will do everything I can to make sure that you USTR continues to maximize its effectiveness by remaining a separate agency instead of being swallowed up within a larger bureaucracy.

With the unemployment rate above 8 percent for the last three years, it is clear that our economy is still far too weak and the Administration must change course if we are going to truly get America working again.

Instead of focusing on tax reform that can create jobs, the budget is replete with proposals that will take more money away from employers, investors, and savers.

I am proud of the progress that we have made so far.

I made public statements as a member of the supercommittee that everything was on the table.

I think going through a regular process might be a better approach.