Bill Huizenga

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished freshman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers).

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished freshman from Illinois (Mr. Dold).

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 72, which would direct the Financial Services Committee to conduct an inventory reviewing existing, pending, and proposed regulations that impede job creation and economic growth. Once again, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are afraid of the answers that they will find when we shine the light of truth on what these regulations do. As Members of Congress, we need to work with job creators to help create an atmosphere in our country that will foster job growth, particularly within the small business community. Simply put, the private sector, not the public sector, creates prosperity. We don't need more government or a bigger one. Last year alone, the executive branch issued more than 3,000 new rules and regulations which their own Small Business Administration reports will cost businesses over a trillion dollars. Both sides of the aisle agree that small businesses are the backbone and the engine of the economy and provide more than two-thirds of all American jobs. As a small business owner, I know firsthand how Federal regulations can choke small businesses. The average small business with less than 20 employees faces an annual cost of $10,585 to comply with a myriad of Federal regulations per worker they employ. For my small gravel company that employs two full-time workers, including a gentleman who's worked for my grandfather, my father, and myself, that equates to more than $21,000 that I have to spend towards compliance-- money that I could be using to invest in much-needed new equipment. Last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the national unemployment rate fell from 9.6 percent to 9.4 percent. This drop is due largely to people who have simply stopped looking for work. In some areas of my district, the Second District in Michigan, that number is nearly double the national average. I believe there are some universal principles of successful businesses that Congress could work on to help grow our economy again. For government, that means creating an atmosphere for success through a reasonable tax and regulatory environment.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2. A lot has been said during this debate about what the American people want. Some have said the American people want ObamaCare, many others have said that they want a repeal of it. Well, I was not in Washington over this past year, I was in Michigan hearing complaint after complaint from regular citizens and small business owners about the cost and unreasonable mandates that are in ObamaCare. I told them to stay tuned. Well, the American people have spoken. And over the past week, I've had an opportunity to engage my constituents even more, including hosting three telephone town hall meetings. We did a survey as part of those town halls, and over two-thirds of the more than 1,000 people that took part in this survey agreed with my position of repealing ObamaCare. I understand the real concerns and health issues that people have, but we will address these issues in the replace portion that you will be seeing soon, so please stay tuned. I am also a small business owner, and I have been talking to other small business owners, and they, too, are frustrated. Provisions like the costly mandate requiring them to file additional 1099 forms have made them angry. We cannot continue to have legislation that forces small business-- job creators--and future generations to foot the bill. Our replacement plans bring hope, so stay tuned. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in voting to replace this bill.

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan

Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. I thank my friend from California for yielding me this time. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution today. I, like all of my colleagues, was shocked and very sobered by these events. I was especially touched as a new Member seeing the location and the situation and the circumstances. This is something we all have done as Members. As a former district director for a former Member of this body, my heart especially goes out to the family of Gabe Zimmerman, of Ron Barber and Pamela Simons, to all the staff who have ever served Members in this House, both here in Washington and out of that district. We want to say thank you for your service. We want to say that our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with those families that have been touched. And rest assured, your safety is on top of our mind for us all. As a father, I mourn the loss of a 9-year-old daughter. I too have a 9-year-old daughter, and I think all of us as parents cannot help but look at this and be heartbroken. As an American, this is an assault on our humanity. This is not the first time this has happened in our Nation's history. It is a sad day nonetheless. We are again asking God to heal our land. We will rise to this challenge as a people. I will continue to do my job as a duly elected Member of this body. I know my staff will do its job. I know all of my colleagues' staff will do their job as well; and we as a body, most importantly, will continue to do the people's work as we move forward through this tragedy. We again will rise to this challenge, and we pray that healing and grace and peace be brought to all of the victims.