GOP Keeps "No Jobs" Streak Alive, Circle City Classic, Chinese Currency Debate and Yom Kippur -- October 7, 2011

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier! For additional information, please visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov.

To put Americans to work, we must empower entrepreneurs and help small businesses succeed, expand and hire new workers. This week, I was pleased to have Marie Johns, the Deputy Administrator from the Small Business Administration, come to Indianapolis to talk with my constituents about ways to help small businesses and to explain the President's American Jobs Act, which I support as a positive first step towards getting our economy on track.

Unfortunately, the GOP is doing everything possible to keep its no jobs streak alive. Earlier this week, GOP Leader Eric Cantor again said "No" to the American Jobs Act, joining his fellow House Republicans in refusing to take any action to put America back to work. The GOP is failing to act on the American Jobs Act, but America's small businesses, our workforce and the millions of unemployed and under-employed are demanding action. Republican leaders are using American jobs as a political football at a time when far too many are still looking for work and struggling to food on the table. This is simply unacceptable to me. Americans deserve to know where Members of Congress stand on growing our economy and getting this great nation back on track. Millions of American can't afford to wait any longer.

Last Saturday, I was honored to participate in the Circle City Classic parade and revel in the diverse group of musicians, marching bands, steppers and dancers. The Classic draws tens of thousands of football fans each year, benefitting our local economy and raising money for the Indiana Black Expo's Circle City Classic Scholarship Program. I congratulate the Golden Rams of Albany State University on their 57-31 victory over the Kentucky State University Thorobreds. I compliment the Classic organizers for again putting together a high-caliber event. I was honored to be a part of it.

You may have recently heard about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's plan, known as the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011, to hold China accountable for devaluing its currency. Over the past week, some of my constituents have asked me, "Why should we care what China does with its money? How does this effect me?" China's longstanding manipulation of its currency distorts global markets and puts American companies at a competitive disadvantage. Over the past decade, China's currency manipulation has resulted in the loss of millions of American jobs and an expanding trade deficit.

On a level playing field, I am confident America can compete with any nation in the world. For years, China has been tipping the field in its favor to the detriment of the American workforce. Senator Reid's bill lets China and all of our other trading partners know that we will not tolerate a rigged system. As your Representative, rest assured, protecting the American worker and growing our fragile economy is one of my highest priorities. For this reason, I support the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act. At a time of record unemployment, we simply can't afford to lose one more American job.

This weekend, my Jewish friends in Indiana and across this great nation will observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. I wish them an easy fast on this holy day. L'Shanah Tovah.

Thank you for reading the Carson Courier. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. For more information, visit my website at https://www.carson.house.gov, my Congressional Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanAndreCarson and follow me on Twitter @RepAndreCarson. I value your views and your input, which help me better represent the people of Indiana's 7^th District.