From high school to grad school, students across the country are preparing to get their diplomas and move into the next phase of their lives. This is always a time of hope and excitement, but there is no denying the obstacles young people face in today’s economy. Many will have to move home to save money. Many will struggle to find work. And those who can strike out on their own often won’t earn what they would have 5 years ago.

The job market should be growing by leaps and bounds, but it’s been held back by a federal government that hits job creators with one new cost after another. You cannot impose ObamaCare, borrow $1 trillion every year, restrict energy production, constantly threaten higher taxes, and still expect entrepreneurs and small businesses to take the same risks and hire the same numbers that they otherwise would.

Like most parents, there is nothing I want more than to see my children become successful, happy, and independent adults. It’s clear that to keep that dream alive, we need a change of direction in Washington, DC.

God Bless,

Congressman Jim Jordan

Chairman, Republican Study Committee

RSC Media Activity – RSC members work hard to ensure that the conservative viewpoint is well-represented in all corners of the media. Visit our Media Center for more.

·         Reps. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) and Tom Price (GA-06): Tap into U.S.-Made Energy; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 24.

·         Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-02): Health Care Solutions Should Be Based in Personal Choice, Not Government; The Holland Sentinel, April 24.

·         Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) with Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22): GOP House Agenda Will Help Unleash Houston's Potential; Houston Chronicle, April 25.

·         Rep. Mac Thornberry (TX-13): Cybersecurity Needs Our Full Attention; Politico, April 25.

·         Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) with Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03): Health Care Provision on OTC Drugs Hurts Consumers; Roll Call, April 25.

·         Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03), Rep. Mike Coffman (CO-06), & Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05): Big Government Is Holding Up American Energy Production; The Hill, April 25.

·         Rep. Kristi Noem (SD-At Large): Focus on Real Issues, Not Sideshows; Argus Leader, April 25.

·         Rep. Jack Kingston (GA-01): House Passes Small Business Tax Cut; Savannah Morning News, April 26.

·         Rep. John Fleming (LA-04): Undeniable: Entitlements Are Unsustainable; Washington Times, April 26.

RSC Member Activity – RSC members make it a priority to introduce productive, conservative solutions for America’s future.

·         Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02) introduced H.R. 4625, the Yucca Utilization to Control Contamination (YUCCA) Act, which requires the president to certify Yucca Mountain as the designated site for our country’s high-level radioactive waste repository.

·         Rep. Dennis Ross (FL-12) introduced H.R. 4472, the Government Spending Accountability Act, which would end the wasteful spending in federal travel budgets.

·         Rep. Phil Roe (TN-01) introduced H.R. 4481, the Veterans’ Affairs Employee Accountability Act (VAEA), which ensures that no employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who knowingly violates civil law receives a bonus.

·         Rep. Reid Ribble (WI-08) introduced H.R. 4607, the Midnight Rule Relief Act, which would put an end to significant, last minute regulations imposed on job creators by a lame duck President.

·         Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) introduced H.R. 4454, the Agency Conferences and Conventions Operating Under Necessary Transparency (ACCOUNT) Act, which would require transparency into the conference expenses of federal agencies.

House Floor Activity – The following key legislation came through the House of Representatives recently.

·         On April 26, the House approved H.R. 3523, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA). The bill enables voluntary cyber threat sharing and provides clear authority for the private sector to defend its own networks.

·         On April 27, the House approved H.R. 4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act, which would spend $6 billion to extend for 1 year the current 3.4% interest rate on new, subsidized Stafford Loans for undergraduate students only. See this link for facts on student loans and the Obama Economy.

Outlook – A quick look at what’s on the horizon.

·         The House will reconvene on Monday, May 7.

·         Sunday, April 29 officially marked 3 years since the last time Senate Democrats passed a budget.

·         On Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its report on April employment data.

RSC Reports

·         Looking for one of our recently released charts and graphs? Click here.

·         RSC Staff recently compiled news stories and op-eds about the Ex-Im Bank.

·         RSC Staff recently published two documents on taxes: an abbreviated list of tax changes set to occur automatically and a quick reference guide for tax facts.

·         Stay up to date on budget and spending news with reports from the RSC Budget and Spending Task Force.

·         Check out the RSC Sunset Caucus’ work to shrink the size of government and the Repeal Task Force’s work to eliminate bad laws and regulations.

·         House rules now require sponsors of legislation to provide a Constitutional Authority Statement that explains how Congress has the constitutionally-derived authority to enact their proposals. Click here to see liberals’ highly questionable attempts.

·         Read the RSC Money Monitor to track how bills passed by the House affect budget authorizations, mandatory spending, and federal government revenue.