Half-mast for our heroes

Today, flags at the United States Capitol were lowered to half-mast to honor federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

“This is a day to serve those who serve us,” said Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH). “Let us all take time to remember the fallen, reflect on the sacrifices their families have made, and give thanks or the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day.”

Officer Josh Cooper and Police Officers from the Dallas Police Department stand in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. They joined  hundreds of Americans in celebrating the lives and service of Law Enforcement Officials on the Washington Mall, March 15th, 2014.

#NationalPeaceOfficersMemorialDay Service on West Lawn of @uscapitol. Thank you for keeping our communities safe! pic.twitter.com/ZfMeqG6d0t

— Bill Johnson (@RepBillJohnson) May 15, 2014

RT to honor the fallen on Nat’l Peace Officers Memorial Day. pic.twitter.com/dzPfg9vDqp — Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) May 15, 2014

Today is National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Take a moment to remember those lost in the line of duty. #PoliceWeek pic.twitter.com/8A3lZxbz6B — Lynn Westmoreland (@RepWestmoreland) May 15, 2014

We remember and pay tribute those federal, state, and local officers who lost their lives to protect and serve us. pic.twitter.com/QBZV9ABLLe

— Rep. Jack Kingston (@JackKingston) May 15, 2014

In 1962, Pres. J.F.K. designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day- Thank you to all our peace officers. pic.twitter.com/2nonkqvl5j

— Ted Yoho (@RepTedYoho) May 15, 2014

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House Republicans are doing work – and encourage Senate Dems to do the same

In this week’s Republican address, the authors of more than a dozen House-passed jobs bills call on President Obama and Senate Democrats to act and match the House’s focus on the economy.

Each of these bills are aimed at creating jobs, strengthening the American economy, and easing the squeeze for hard-working Americans. These are only a few of the 232 bills stuck in the Senate, and as Rep. John Kline (R-MN) said, “More are in the works.”

For House Republicans, the focus remains on building a stronger economy and a better America. “It’s time for President Obama and Senate democrats to step up and make that their priority, too,” said Kline.

Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI): H.R. 890 passed to “Protect reforms that help thousands of welfare recipients find jobs and lift their families out of poverty.”

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC): H.R. 803, helps “More American workers gain the skills and education necessary to compete for in demand jobs.”

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE): H.R. 3 approves the building of The Keystone XL Pipeline, and “supports more than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs.”

Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL): H.R. 1406 will “Allow private sectors to take advantage of the comp-time benefits that public employees enjoy.”

Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV): H.R. 761 targets “The development of strategic and critical minerals used to support American and manufacturing jobs.”

Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX): H.R. 2481 aimed at “Providing our service members with the tools that will help them find good jobs when they return home.”

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO): H.R. 1965 will “Make it easier to develop resources that will lower energy costs and reduce dependency on foreign oil.”

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA): H.R. 3309 will “Promote innovation and job creation by helping businesses defend themselves from abusive patent litigation.”

Rep. George Holding (R-NC): H.R. 2804 passed to “Reign in red tape and increase transparency of new regulations, so small businesses can better plan ahead.”

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL): H.R. 3474 will “Incentivise small businesses to hire more of our veterans.”

Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH): H.R. 2824 passed to “Fight back against the administration’s war on coal that’s destroying jobs and causing electricity prices to skyrocket.”

Rep. Todd Young (R-IN): H.R. 2575 will “Restore working hours and wages that millions of part-time employees lost because of Obamacare.”

Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX): The recently passed H.R. 4438 will “Permanently extend research and development tax credit, so we can keep good ideas and good jobs right here at home.”

Rep. John Kline (R-MN): Also recently passed, H.R. 10 intends to “Strengthen charter schools and encourage more choice and opportunity through our education system.”

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House Republicans – helping small businesses succeed

This week, House Republicans celebrated small businesses and the hardworking Americans who make these economic engines run across the country. The contributions small business employees make to the American economy are incredible – almost 60 million jobs - and over 25 million firms. However, the current status of our American economy does not reciprocate in benefits to these hard-working Americans.

Small business job growth is strangled by unnecessary regulation, complex and increasing taxes, and high energy prices. Obamacare is increasing health care costs and preventing companies from creating new jobs.  House Republicans have introduced, and passed, multiple bills that will make it easier for small businesses in America to grow and expand.

Problem: Small businesses bear a regulatory cost of $10,585 per employee, which is 36% higher than the cost of regulatory compliance for large business.
Solution: House Republicans have passed H.R. 2804, which requires agencies to write regulations with small businesses in mind, imposing the least cost necessary and communicating the status and cost of new regulations.

Problem: The Obama administration is very likely generating the most regulations in history, issuing 157 new major rules at a cost to Americans approaching $73 billion annually.
Solution: H.R. 367, passed by House Republicans in August 2013, requires regulations with more than a $100 million impact on the economy to be approved by Congress before taking affect – checking and balancing the power of the President.

Problem: The Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that the average tax compliance cost per employee for small businesses is almost three times the per employee cost for the average large firm.
Solution: Small businesses create 16.5 times more patents than large firms. House Republicans recognize and appreciate this innovation, and have passed bills like H.R. 4438, which provide incentives for the research that small businesses excel in to create more jobs.

Problem: The median commercial sector industry has a small business energy cost per sales ratio that is 2.7 times greater than that of larger businesses, which hinders their ability to compete during times of elevated energy prices, according to the SBA Office of Advocacy.
Solution: The Keystone XL Pipeline will not only create new jobs, but will reduce energy prices for all Americans, providing the type of relief that small businesses need to succeed. House Republicans have voiced their support for the project, yet continue to wait for the President and Senate to act.

Problem: A recent National Small Business Association health care survey shows an overwhelming majority of small companies have suffered health insurance cost increases. Ninety-one percent of small businesses reported increases in their health care premiums. One in four of these increases exceed 20%.
Solution: House Republicans have passed multiple bills to protect Americans from the negative impacts of Obamacare. We remained focused on implementing patient-centered, high-quality, and low-cost options for health care.

In order for small businesses to grow, reforms must be made in our economy and government. The House Republican plan #4Jobs encompasses working solutions for regulation, taxes, health care and more. While dozens of our bills remain stuck in the senate, House Republicans remain advocates for small business workers - doing all we can to help build an America that works for small businesses, as hard as they work for America.

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#BostonStrong

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House Republicans reflect on the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings.

ESPN has a really touching feature highlighting stories from last year’s bombing. #BostonStrong http://t.co/RQi50gGg8H — Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) April 15, 2014

One year ago today. Remembering http://t.co/qQfSrFeevY #BostonStrong — Randy Forbes (@Randy_Forbes) April 15, 2014

Thoughts & prayers are with the victims & their families today on the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. pic.twitter.com/wJjNe6aSZL — Rep. Lee Terry (@LEETERRYNE) April 15, 2014

Today we remember the victims of the #BostonMarathon bombing, as well as the heroes who responded. #BostonStrong

— Rep. Renee Ellmers (@RepReneeEllmers) April 15, 2014

One year ago, today. We remember #Boston. #BostonStrong pic.twitter.com/Dr2lbnt6YS

— Steve Stivers (@RepSteveStivers) April 15, 2014

An amazing picture of those whose lives were forever changed at last year’s #BostonMarathon http://t.co/6dWunkWqSV — Patrick Meehan (@RepMeehan) April 15, 2014

Let us stand together in honoring the victims and families affected by the Boston Marathon Bombing 1-year ago 2day pic.twitter.com/5oGnNHh6v2 — Rep. Michael Grimm (@repmichaelgrimm) April 15, 2014

We will never forget the lives lost, the bravery of the first responders and the resiliency of a nation. We will forevever be #BostonStrong — Ann Wagner (@RepAnnWagner) April 15, 2014

Day of tributes to mark Boston Marathon bombing anniversary | http://t.co/znhdptllnh — Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) April 15, 2014

Today, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Boston. #BostonStrong http://t.co/iM3mIRqkNz pic.twitter.com/qk9voeof2X

— Susan W. Brooks (@SusanWBrooks) April 15, 2014

Today we are all #BostonStrong. Please join me and take a moment to remember all of the victims and their families. pic.twitter.com/f9OBLv4YZ5

— Rep. Jon Runyan (@RepJonRunyan) April 15, 2014

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Happy Tax Day?

In celebrating everyone’s least favorite, forced federal holiday, let’s take a look at what makes our tax code so… special.

It’s lengthy.
Today’s tax code contains almost four million words.

It’s time consuming.
Individuals and businesses spend 6.1 billion hours a year on tax filings. For individuals, the estimated average time burden for all taxpayers filing a Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ is 13 hours.

It’s expensive.
Tax compliance costs are 65% higher for small businesses than big businesses, costing small-business owners $18-$19 billion per year. Paperwork alone comes to $72.24 per hour.  For larger, corporate-tax payers, America’s is the highest in the world.

It’s wasteful.
U.S. taxpayers pay $431.1 billion annually in compliance costs, known as “the complexity tax.”

It’s complicated.
There are over 800 currently active tax forms. And to figure these forms out, America has 1.2 million paid tax preparers in the United States. That’s more than law enforcement officers and professional firefighters combined.

It’s unfair.
The percentage of Americans who think their income taxes are fair is at its lowest since 2001. The “tax gap” –the amount of taxes due but not paid—is approximately $400 billion per year.

Share your least favorite part of the tax code:

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An America that works at home: Easing the squeeze

Pressures from a struggling economy and over-regulated federal government are growing increasingly tight for millions of Americans. This week, House Republicans visited their local communities and discussed how to ease the squeeze on the middle class. Representatives visited alternative energy sources, discussed how to improve environmental regulations, and met with small business owners across the nation to hear their concerns and ideas. Below are some photos of the people they met and the places they visited.

Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Woodland community members talked about how EPA regulations are impacting local small businesses. Bills like H.R. 1582, passed by House Republicans, require the EPA to take into consideration the impact and cost of regulations that adversely affect the economy.

Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) toured Invenergy Wind Farm in Vantage, WA. America is abundant with natural resources, and House Republicans are actively pursuing alternative solutions, like wind energy. These opportunities will directly impact Americans, providing lower energy costs and creating jobs across energy sectors.

In Mart, Texas, Rep. Bill Flores (R-TX), congratulates the Read family of Read’s Food Store on their Texas Treasure Business Award from the Texas State Historical Commission. Small businesses, like Read’s Food Store, are at the foundation of great American communities. House Republicans are dedicated to recruiting new industries and helping existing businesses expand.

Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) met with the Mobile Chamber of Commerce Oil and Gas Task force to discuss the future of energy in Alabama. Increasing Energy Costs are squeezing the middle class in a stagnant economy. House Republicans understand that improving and expanding energy opportunities in America is essential to easing middle class costs.

Many businesses and homeowners in Eastern Ohio are feeling the squeeze from the new FEMA flood plain maps, and are watching their insurance premiums rise. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) met with community leaders to discuss solutions and improvements to FEMA that will ease the squeeze on their communities and businesses.

Click here to learn more about what House Republicans are doing to build an America that works.

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An America that works at home: Jobs and economic growth

Over the past week, House Republicans have been busy meeting with folks back in their districts. With a stagnant economy and a crippling health care law, jobs and economic growth continue to be the top concerns for Americans across the country. Below are some examples of what House Republicans are doing back home to build an American that works:

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) visited the Puckett Machinery, a manufacturing hub in Meridian, Mississippi. Too many business owners are struggling because of the burdensome regulations and excessive red tape coming out of Washington, DC. House Republicans are working every day to change that.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) visited the Woods Equipment Company in Oregon, Illinois, which employs more than 300 employees. “With the right business climate, success stories like Woods can be repeated all across the Sixteenth District and Illinois,” said Kinzinger.

Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA) toured the Propex Global facility in Ringgold, Georgia. House Republicans believe expanding markets for American-made goods will help lower prices for consumers; create better, higher-paying jobs for workers; and attract new investments in the United States. Learn more here.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) visited the Hyundai and Kia supplier DAS North America in Montgomery, Alabama. The company recently opened a 360,000 square-foot facility that is expected to employ at least 440 people.

Click here to learn more about what House Republicans are doing to build an America that works.

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