Rep. Frank Guinta - New jobs are still priority #1

If you’ve read this column recently, you know the wide array of things I’m fighting for in Washington: a responsible budget that cuts federal spending, a plan for providing Americans with affordable and sustainable energy sources, resistance to raising the government debt ceiling without deep, significant cuts in spending and major budgetary reforms, and continued support for our men and women in uniform.

Yet one problem hangs on with nasty persistence: the need for jobs. The Labor Department said the nation’s unemployment rate increased to 9.1-percent in May. But that’s only a statistic. If you have a spouse, friend or neighbor who’s having a tough time finding a job, you know the personal cost is very painful.

As bad as that 9.1-percent figure is, it doesn’t include the many others who are underemployed, or who have been out of work for so long, they’ve grown discouraged and have stopped looking for a job.

As your congressman, I’m personally committed to helping turn things around. I launched my ongoing “Getting Granite Staters Back to Work” initiative in April. Phase One started with visits to several small business owners and a survey of job creators to hear their thoughts and suggestions. I’m taking what I’m hearing from them, and am applying it to what I’m doing in Washington.

Always remember: job creators are the solution, not the government. They repeatedly tell me they get too much government over-regulation and too much taxation, but not enough fiscal leadership from Washington. That’s robbing them of the confidence they need to grow and hire new employees.

Now it’s time for Phase Two.

I’m pleased to announce that I am sponsoring two Job Fairs in New Hampshire this month. My goal is to bring together people who are looking for work with employers who are looking to hire quality workers. These fairs are free and open to everyone.

The first one will be held on Monday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Derry at the Marion Gerrish Community Center, 39 West Broadway.

The second will be held on Monday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rochester at the Brady Sullivan Technical Park (ground floor), 35 Industrial Way.

It’s important to remember that the battle to return our nation to prosperity is being waged on multiple fronts. My efforts here at home to help unemployed people find work are only part of it.

The rest of the fight is being waged on Capitol Hill. Washington creates the economic environment in which job creators operate. When our government keeps the nation’s finances on a sound fiscal footing, it gives them confidence to grow, expand and hire new employees. The opposite is also true: when Washington creates an atmosphere of unpredictability and uncertainty, job creators understandably turn cautious. That is where we find ourselves right now. In my recent “Getting Granite Staters Back to Work” survey of small business owners, nearly 60-percent said they have no plans to hire new employees this year or in the foreseeable future.

My Republican colleagues in the House and I are dedicated to turning things around. We started by passing a responsible budget that takes a big bite out of federal spending and lowers the deficit. When President Obama and Democratic congressional leaders asked for a “clean” bill to raise the debt ceiling by $2.4-trillion without any spending cuts or budgetary reforms, we emphatically said “No!” I’ve also co-sponsored a bill to change the budgeting process to a two-year budget, so we can give job creators more predictability and confidence.

These battles, both here at home and in Washington, won’t be won overnight or decided in a single legislative vote. But victory is possible and we can win them. All we need is the determination to do what is right, and to stick with it for as long as it takes.

I look forward to reporting back to you in two weeks on the latest developments in Washington. In the meantime, if I can be of service to you, or if you want to share your thoughts, suggestions or concerns with me, please call either my district office in Manchester at (603) 641-9536 or my Washington office at (202) 225-5456, or contract me through my website and sign up for my weekly e-newsletter at www.Guinta.House.Gov. You can also follow what I’m doing 24/7 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repfrankguinta and on Twitter at @RepFrankGuinta.

Until next time, please know that I am always on your side and am actively fighting for New Hampshire’s interests in Washington.

(Congressman Frank Guinta is a Manchester Republican who represents New Hampshire's First District in Washington.)