U.S. Representative John Boehner
Mr. President, What Are You Waiting For?

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) released the following column discussing House Republicans’ continued focus on jobs and the economy:

“The State of the Union is a special tradition. It's the one night where every branch of our federal government gathers in the House of Representatives to talk about visions for the future of our country.

“And as I lead Republicans in offering pro-growth solutions to get our economy moving, it’s great to be able to invite people from our area to take part in the day's activities.

“My guests, as reported by the Journal-News and Cincinnati Enquirer, included local job creators who joined me that night to share their stories. They’re our friends and neighbors whose names you recognize: Wayne Deschambeau of Wayne HealthCare, Laura Doerger-Roberts of Vinylmax Windows, and David Lippert of Hamilton Caster & Manufacturing Company.

“In addition to running businesses located in the district, most of them have one thing in common: the president’s health care law is making it harder for them to hire. They represent the countless number of small business owners in our area who are struggling, too.

“Scott Ellsworth of Tipco Punch Co. in Hamilton brought a different perspective to the conversation. Through his work with Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships, Scott is a leader in showing how improvements to our job-training programs – a Republican approach included in the House-passed SKILLS Act – are critical to empowering workers and fostering opportunity.

“I’ve run a small business, and I know where they are coming from. That’s why House Republicans are showing we are not just the ‘opposition party’ – we are the alternative party in favor of policies that will improve people’s lives

“Another one of my guests was Joe Brown, the president and CEO of Hartzell Propeller. Hartzell Propeller is one of the largest employers in Miami County, but Joe said the president’s health care law is destroying his incentive to create jobs. When I heard more about Joe’s story, I learned that his company maintains 75 percent of the world’s market in airplane propellers and would directly benefit from important trade expansion legislation, known as Trade Promotion Authority.

“I’ve made clear over the last several months that the president needs to engage his party on Trade Promotion Authority. Joe’s company is one example of just how important trade is to Ohio – more than 1.4 million Ohioans, from farmers to factory workers, have jobs that depend on international trade.

“It’s simple: more trade means more jobs in Ohio."

“President Obama says he wants to get Trade Promotion Authority done. But one thing stands in the way of this job-creating trade legislation that would make it easier for Ohio’s small businesses, farmers, and manufacturers to secure new customers and create more jobs: Democrats on Capitol Hill.

“In fact, the Senate Majority Leader – a member of the President's own party – says that he is not in favor of Trade Promotion Authority and that, ‘Everyone would be well-advised just to not push this right now,’ as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

“In the weeks leading up to the State of the Union address, the president declared that 2014 will be a ‘year of action.’ Well, I think it is time for him to pull out all the stops, put pressure on his own party, and get to work on this bipartisan effort to expand America’s trade agenda and create jobs. After five years of failed policies that have stunned small businesses and left the middle class struggling, it’s the least he could do.

“And we know how the president can be when he is actually committed to something: he hits the road, uses his bully pulpit, and he takes his case to the American people. If the president is serious about his commitment to ‘action’ in 2014, he must do his part and engage members of his own party.

“With dozens of bipartisan jobs bills passed by the Republican-led House and waiting for action from Senate Democrats, the president has a real opportunity to make this a bipartisan year to work on our economy and get Americans back to work. Let’s see if he means what he says. I know I’ll be watching.”

Boehner represents Ohio’s 8th District, which includes all of Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami, and Preble counties, and the southernmost part of Mercer County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.