Economy
It is no accident that Texas consistently leads the nation in job creation. Some have described this economic powerhouse as a "Texas Miracle." But, we know better than that. The Texas Economic Experience is rooted in concepts and principles that will work anywhere they're tried: Keeping taxes low, creating a predictable regulatory climate, cracking down on lawsuit abuse, and investing in critical infrastructure like roads, water and schools in a fiscally responsible way.
September 17th, 2014
More than a decade since I first arrived in the United States Senate, the chamber has become unrecognizable. What had traditionally been a forum for thoughtful debate of principled ideas has gradually devolved into a venue...
September 9th, 2014
How does one increase the minimum wage? There are two ways: the inefficient and destructive way or allowing the market to work. The first is what most politicians do routinely by pushing for laws to raise the minimum wage...
September 4th, 2014
Because of an absence of federal action on the problem of rampant worker misclassification in construction, we continue to track the progress of states across the nation that are trying to deal with what's been called “a...
August 30th, 2014
I hope y'all are enjoying the last few weeks of summer as August draws to a close and a new school year begins (and of course, a new football season too). This month, I’ve traveled across our district meeting with...
August 28th, 2014
What a great conversation with Michael Boldin of the Tenth Amendment Center and Off Now, about the Off Now initiative and handbook. Have a listen!
August 26th, 2014
On Monday, August 4, 2014 I began my town hall tour of the 27th Congressional District. Over the span of four days I met with people from across the district to answer questions and to hear what you had to say. My staff and...
August 23rd, 2014
Earlier this week, I met with the CITI Executive Team and visited their facility in Irving. I enjoyed learning about their increased presence in the DFW area and their role in employing more than 5,000 North Texans. I also...
August 22nd, 2014
A headline that wind power requires 700 times the land space to produce the same amount of energy than fracked produced natural gas grabbed my attention. This headline sums up the problem with much of the alternative sources...
August 18th, 2014
Last week, I visited the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems facility in Garland. While I was there I met with the General Manager and learned about the products that General Dynamics provides the U.S. military...
August 11th, 2014
Joblessness and poverty in California are more severe than just about anywhere in America.In an election year, this is a reality incumbents tend to gloss over. California’s improving, they say, so keep us in charge.For the...
September 10th, 2014
The recent disaster in foreign affairs has put Obama's competency into question, and for many on both sides, Obama's failure is more about his incompetency as opposed to the results of his ideology. Democrats have an...
September 5th, 2014
Today I released the following statement regarding the August unemployment report:Today’s weak jobs report shows that the Administration’s anti-growth agenda continues to prevent Americans from finding job opportunities that...
September 3rd, 2014
The government provides all kinds of reports, for example housing starts, unemployment, GDP, and so on, and generally the news ranges from “not too bad” to “great.”Well it’s all nonsense. You don’t need a degree in Economics...
August 29th, 2014
On Tuesday I met with representatives from the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) to talk about the importance of improving conditions in underground infrastructures across the United States. We also discussed...
August 27th, 2014
The economics literature generally finds a positive, but small, gain in income to native-born populations from immigrants and potentially large gains in world incomes. But immigrants can also impact a recipient nation’s...
August 24th, 2014
One of my best friends is Joe the Plumber, a man made famous for daring to question Liberals’ Baby Black Jesus.Joe is a friend because he pulls no punches, makes no apologies, but mostly because he DOES WHAT HE SAYS.
August 22nd, 2014
Has Obama checked out? This is conventional wisdom, but conventional wisdom is wrong for even many liberals don’t truly understand the guy they helped elect. Obama hasn’t checked out, he has decided to rule America in a...
August 21st, 2014
There are currently over 350 bills that have passed the House of Representatives but remain stuck in the Senate. The House has taken action and passed good legislation to address important issues facing our country from...
August 12th, 2014
HOUSTON, Texas — Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed a new law reforming the nation’s energy industry. It is expected this new law will bring in billions of dollars in investments to expand oil and natural gas...
August 7th, 2014
The following was written by Congressman Joe Barton (TX-6):America’s new found energy abundance creates incredible opportunities, but old laws are getting in the way of economic growth and the chance to strengthen...