MANUFACTURING
The United States has long led the world in the quality of our products and the productivity of our workers. But our manufacturing edge is being eroded by government-created barriers and an inhospitable regulatory environment.
To ensure we remain the world’s manufacturing leader while allowing for the creation of new, good-paying jobs, we must establish an environment in America that incentivizes companies to build here, not overseas.
In order to ensure the manufacturing jobs of the 21st century are created here, we must ensure American workers have the skills needed for these jobs. Streamlining workforce education programs and focusing on preparing America’s youth for jobs in advanced manufacturing will help us get there.
ENERGY
As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have worked hard to reverse the “no new energy” stance of the Obama administration and enact a true all-of-the-above energy policy, as we have here in the Sixteenth District. Our district contains a diverse supply of energy producers, including the most nuclear reactors of any district in the country, coal plants, biodiesel and bioethanol facilities, hydropower, and more.
It’s been one of my top priorities to highlight the Sixteenth District’s energy diversity and bring this vision to Washington. I’ve held energy roundtables, discussed energy issues at town halls and local gas stations, and visited energy-producing facilities across the district, including conducting a day long, district-wide energy tour.
In addition, I have worked with my colleagues on a host of legislation to hold the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accountable for its job-crushing regulations. One such bill, the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act, included an amendment I introduced to stop EPA from imposing new regulations that would increase the cost of gas on hardworking Americans.
During my time in Congress, I have fought hard to give Illinois farmers the certainty and reliability they need to be successful. Any farmer will tell you that planning for next year’s crop begins long before planting season, and I have made it a priority to ensure food and farm policies coming from Washington are predictable and work for farmers of the Sixteenth District.
AGRICULTURE
Since coming to Congress, actions I’ve taken to help Illinois farmers succeed include:
- Voting for free trade agreements that open new export markets for Illinois producers;
- Voting to reform and reauthorize farm and food policy to give Illinois farmers long-term certainty;
- Voting for legislation to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency to protect farmers from costly and unnecessary federal regulations;
- Voting to strengthen the Crop Insurance Program;
- Supports the Renewable Fuel Standard as an important part of an “all of the above” energy approach
- And voting for legislation to rehab America’s waterways, a critical lifeline for Illinois farmers to get their products to international markets.
Agriculture is vitally important to our state, serving as source of income and way of life for families all across the Sixteenth District. I will continue to fight to ensure Illinois farmers are given the tools they need to be successful and ensure we have smart food and farm policies that work for our nation’s producers.