Honoring Veterans Day and Calling Upon the Super Committee to Promote America's Entrepreneurial Spirit -- November 10, 2011

Dear Friend,

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

In this week's Carson Courier:

• Honoring Veterans Day
• Calling upon the Super Committee to Promote America's Entrepreneurial Spirit

Honoring Veterans Day

This Friday, I call on all Americans to pause in recognition of the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed in our nation's Armed Forces. Their devotion to ensuring our freedom and democracy is an inspiration for us all.

At a time when federal spending must be trimmed, I want the more than 63,000 in the 7^th Congressional District to know that I remain steadfastly committed to protecting the benefits they have earned. Just this month, I sent a letter to the Joint Special Committee on Deficit Reduction, known as the Super Committee, calling on them to avoid making cuts to veterans health programs that so many rely on. I also introduced and passed two bills which will provide mental health screening and care to service members while deployed abroad and financial counseling before they separate from the service. These bills aim to address some of the top concerns that were brought to my attention by local veterans. It was an honor to work with local veterans to draft both of these bills, which aim to address some of the most critical concerns they have had since returning home from combat.

Calling Upon the Super Committee to Promote America's Entrepreneurial Spirit

Nearly every day, America's entrepreneurs approach me about their difficulties gaining access to credit, to trained workers and to customers domestic and abroad. It is my fervent belief that the keys to our economic future include rewarding entrepreneurs and small businesses—as they are instrumental in creating jobs, reviving our economy and preventing the further erosion of the American manufacturing sector. Below are some of the ways in which the Super Committee can act to promote American's entrepreneurial spirit:

• Promote manufacturing by funding targeted programs and offering tax incentives to rebuild the American manufacturing base and strengthening Buy America provisions.
• Authorize the Small Business Administration to make direct loans to financially sound small businesses who have otherwise been turned down by banks despite having solid credit ratings.
• Extend Unemployment Insurance and skills training reforms detailed in the American Jobs Act.
• Increase and extend the payroll tax credit and enhance export opportunities through the Export-Import Bank and the Commerce Department.
• Invest in America's infrastructure including public transit, water and telecommunications infrastructure, and our public schools.

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.