Nov 30, 2011

House Republican Jobs Agenda: More TV Ads

According to a new Politico story, Congressional Republicans are fearful they’re losing on the jobs message.  House Republicans are complaining they “need to do a better job on messaging” their no-jobs agenda and apparently think just doing television ads will solve the jobs problem. But the problem for House Republicans isn’t that they have the wrong message, it’s that Republicans have blocked every effort to create jobs.

“House Republicans think the solution to creating jobs is more talking points, not actually doing anything to create jobs,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “House Republicans’ problem isn’t their failure to sell a jobs agenda, it’s Republicans’ failure to embrace an agenda that creates jobs. In their first 330 days, House Republicans have made protecting tax breaks for billionaires and trying to end Medicare their priority, rather than focusing on creating jobs and strengthening small businesses.” 

Background

GOPers fear losing jobs message war. “In the House, freshman Rep. Randy Hultgren of Illinois said Republicans “need to do better on messaging,” adding that the party’s jobs pitch “hasn’t been cohesive enough.” […] At a closed House Republican Conference meeting earlier this month, Rep. Judy Biggert of Illinois suggested that party leaders buy television ad time to get the message across that Republicans are fighting for jobs. Many of her colleagues seem to agree, particularly on the jobs issue.” [POLITICO, 11/29/11]

House Republicans Voted for A Budget that Would Lead To 1.7 Million Fewer Jobs. On April 15, 2011, House Republicans voted for budget prepared by Paul Ryan.  According the Mark Zandi of Moody's, a former economist for the McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign, the Ryan approach would result in 1.7 million fewer jobs, including 900,000 next year, than is the case under the president's proposal. [H Con Res 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11; Moody's Analytics, 4/14/11]

House Republicans Supported “Cut, Cap, and Balance,” Which Would Cost Americans 700,000 Jobs. On July 19, 2011, House Republicans voted for “Cut, Cap, and Balance Act,” a bill whose goal is to limit federal outlays to 18 percent of gross domestic product.  According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the House Republican backed Cut, Cap and Balance would “cause the loss of roughly 700,000 jobs in the current weak economy, relative to what the number of jobs otherwise would be.” Similarly, Scripps Howard News Service described the proposal as “both simplistic and economically destructive.”  [HR 2560, Vote #606, 7/19/11; HR 2560, 7/19/11; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 7/16/11; Scripps Howard News Service Editorial, 7/5/11]

House Republicans Voted Against the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act. On October 12, 2011, House Republicans voted against adding the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act to the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act. The move would have allowed the U.S. Government to impose tariffs on goods produced in countries that “fundamentally” undervalue their currencies. [HR 3078, Vote #780, 10/12/11; CQ Floor Votes; HR 3078, Motion to Recommit, 10/12/11]

Revaluing Currency Could Create 1.63 Million American Jobs. “If only China revalued by 28.5%, the growth in U.S. GDP would support 1,631,000 U.S. jobs.” [EPI, 6/17/11]

In More than 300 days in the Majority, House Republicans Have Voted 17 Times Against Democratic initiatives to create jobs. [Democratic Leaders Press Office,  10/25/11] 

Republicans Have Not Produced Any Alternative Jobs Bills. “Republicans have not produced any alternative jobs bills, reflecting their arguments that past stimulus measures have not worked. Instead, they say that to create jobs it is crucial to roll back federal regulations, pass free-trade bills and cut spending.” [New York Times, 10/6/11]

Mark Zandi: Republican Proposals, Like Rolling Back Regulations, Will Not Create Jobs in the Next Year. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said the Republican proposals "won't mean much for the economy and job market in the next year." He continued: "Given the high odds of another recession in the next few months, it is vital for Congress and the administration to provide some near-term support to the economy.” [New York Times, 10/6/11]

Mark Zandi: Republican Proposals, Like Rolling Back Regulations, Will Not Create Jobs in the Next Year.  Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said the Republican proposals “won’t mean much for the economy and job market in the next year.”  He continued: “Given the high odds of another recession in the next few months, it is vital for Congress and the administration to provide some near-term support to the economy.”  [New York Times, 10/6/11]

McClatchy Survey: Regulations, Taxes Aren’t Killing Small Business. “Politicians and business groups often blame excessive regulation and fear of higher taxes for tepid hiring in the economy. However, little evidence of that emerged when McClatchy canvassed a random sample of small business owners across the nation. […] The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is among the most vocal critics of the Obama administration, blaming excessive regulation and the administration's overhaul of health care laws for creating an environment of uncertainty that's hampering job creation.” [McClatchy, 9/1/11]

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