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[Pages S4829-S4830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, economic data continue to confirm
what we have been hearing from American workers and job creators for 2
years now: This is a pro-worker, pro-family, pro-opportunity economic
moment. Hardly a day goes by without new headlines highlighting the new
prosperity in communities that the last administration's policies
overlooked and the red-hot market for American workers.
Since January 2017, Republican policies have focused on letting the
American people control more of their own money and letting American
businesses create jobs more easily.
So what are the results? On our watch, unemployment has fallen to
near 50-year lows and stayed there. Underemployment has fallen too.
Wages are growing. Month after month, we have had more job openings
nationwide than Americans looking for work. Specifically, there are
currently about 1.6 million more job openings than Americans looking
for work, the widest margin ever recorded.
Now, these aren't Washington accomplishments. They are the American
people's accomplishments, but public policy can certainly change the
conditions. Government can either create the conditions that help lead
to success or to stagnation.
For example, bad public policies under the Obama administration help
to explain why the insufficient and unfair economic ``recovery'' left
so many places behind. High taxes, heavy regulation, and a hostile
climate for business--these things all add up. They took a real toll in
many places.
Take my home State of Kentucky, for example. Kentucky is proud of our
diverse economy. We are proud of our great healthcare and aviation
sectors. We are proud that we are a tourist destination. It turns out
that Bourbon and horse races are a winning combination.
We also take huge pride in the kinds of industries that liberal
policies tend to either forget about or actively work against. I am
talking about manufacturing and agriculture and mining and coal-fired
electricity--the things that keep the lights on in America's heartland.
We could not be prouder of the huge role these sectors play in our
Commonwealth.
So it is not surprising that leftwing policies dreamt up in places
like New York and San Francisco, for places like New York and San
Francisco, were not too kind to Kentucky--growth that was too slow,
jobs that were hard to come by. Some so-called experts said it was just
the ``new normal,'' but we knew better. We knew Kentucky could get back
on track if we could only get a fair shot and fewer hurdles from
Washington. We needed the government to stop creating headwinds and
maybe even create a few tailwinds. That is exactly what happened over
the last 2\1/2\ years.
Since January 2017, Republicans in Congress have partnered with the
Trump administration to get our Nation's opportunity economy going and
growing again--for everyone. We passed the first comprehensive overhaul
of the Federal Tax Code in more than a generation. We cut regulations
that had reduced liberty and stifled our competitiveness. We helped
American workers and entrepreneurs hang up a big, bright neon sign
saying ``Open for Business.'' And--no surprise here--working Americans
have taken the ball and they have run with it.
[[Page S4830]]
I have already read the national statistics. I am even prouder about
this. Instead of being left behind, Kentucky is helping to lead the
charge. The State's unemployment rate has hit and sustained its lowest
level on record. Again, that is recordbreaking low unemployment.
Last year, Governor Bevin helped Kentucky to welcome more than $5.3
billion of planned business investment. This new growth isn't just
concentrated in urban areas. Rural communities in the Bluegrass are
seeing more jobs, investment, and expansion as well.
Of course, it takes more than 2 years to unwind the mistakes of the
past. Parts of Kentucky are still struggling from the effects of
liberal policies, and this Republican Senate, the administration, and
leaders in Frankfort are laser-focused on continuing to invest in and
fight for recovery.
In many communities, particularly in rural Kentucky, the lingering
pain has been hard to shake--the damage to the coal industry, the
devastation caused by opioid and substance abuse. So more work is
certainly needed, and I am honored to lead the charge in Washington to
help Kentuckians confront these challenges.
Through programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission and the
abandoned mine land pilot program, we are investing hundreds of
millions of dollars into struggling areas and out-of-work Americans. In
Eastern Kentucky, Congressman Hal Rogers and I have partnered with
local organizations to secure Federal resources for everything from
skills training to water infrastructure improvements.
I have helped to secure tens of millions of dollars to aid the
retraining efforts of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment
Program and job-creating programs like the Kentucky Highlands Community
Development Corporation. We have also secured grants to bolster good
jobs, support the environment, attract tourism, and promote healthy
lifestyles.
These are just a few examples from just one State. There are stories
like this all over our country. While the previous administration left
these men and women behind, Republicans recognize their skills and
their drive. We are investing in their futures.
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