[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 352 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 352

  Providing that the House of Representatives will focus on removing 
       barriers to competitiveness of the United States economy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 11, 2005

  Mr. Tiahrt (for himself, Mr. DeLay, and Mr. Boustany) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 
   and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Government 
 Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Providing that the House of Representatives will focus on removing 
       barriers to competitiveness of the United States economy.

Whereas the economy of the United States is part of a global economy in which 
        domestic industries face ever stronger competition from foreign 
        industries;
Whereas growth in exports accounts for one-sixth of all growth in the United 
        States economy;
Whereas approximately 1 in 5 factory jobs in the United States depends directly 
        on international trade;
Whereas American farmers export 1 in 3 acres of their crops, and exports 
        generate nearly 25 percent of farmers' gross sales;
Whereas the estimated total regulatory burden on United States business is more 
        than $850 billion per year;
Whereas, according to a study sponsored by the Office of Advocacy of the Small 
        Business Administration, government regulations cost firms with fewer 
        than 20 employees 60 percent more per employee than the cost to firms 
        with more than 500 employees;
Whereas the Office of Management and Budget recently found that for every dollar 
        of direct budget expenditure devoted to regulatory activity, the private 
        sector spends $45 to comply with regulations;
Whereas high-technology industries are driving economic growth around the world, 
        as shown by the fact that the global market for high-technology goods is 
        growing at a faster rate than the rate for other manufactured goods;
Whereas more than 1 million American jobs are dependant upon research and 
        development spending in the United States;
Whereas the cost of medical care in the United States regularly outpaces general 
        inflation;
Whereas 90 percent of Americans who are under age 65 and covered by health 
        insurance currently obtain that insurance through employers;
Whereas 85 percent of jobs in the United States today are classified as skilled 
        jobs and in 1950, only 20 percent of jobs were so classified;
Whereas 80 percent of the 50 fastest growing occupations require education 
        beyond high school;
Whereas, despite spending $60 billion per year on training, 60 percent of United 
        States companies are prevented from upgrading technologically by the low 
        educational and technical skill levels of their workforce;
Whereas, in 2003, American taxpayers spent an estimated $203.5 billion to comply 
        with the Federal income tax code, enough to buy more than 5 million new 
        luxury 4-door sedans at retail price and by 2007, annual compliance 
        costs are projected to rise to $244 billion;
Whereas the tax compliance burden is twice as much for businesses with fewer 
        than 20 employees as it is for businesses with more than 500 employees;
Whereas the cost of frivolous litigation in the United States exceeds $230 
        billion per year, an amount equal to more than $2,000 per American 
        household;
Whereas the cost of liability defense is approximately $150,000 per year for 
        each small business, money that could be spent to hire additional 
        employees, expand operations, or improve health care coverage;
Whereas, in 2002, trial lawyers received approximately $40 billion from 
        litigation, more than the annual revenues of Microsoft and Intel, and 
        twice the revenue of Coca-Cola;
Whereas total energy consumption in the United States is expected to increase 
        more rapidly than domestic energy supply through at least 2025;
Whereas the Energy Information Administration projects that net imports will 
        constitute 36 percent of total United States energy consumption in 2025, 
        as compared with only 26 percent in 2002; and
Whereas, according to a study sponsored by the National Association of 
        Manufacturers and American Council for Capital Formation, consumers will 
        face a 61 percent increase in gasoline prices unless the United States 
        implements a policy to increase the supply of affordable energy: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, 

SECTION 1. RECOGNITION OF EXISTING BARRIERS TO KEEPING AND CREATING 
              JOBS.

    The House of Representatives recognizes that there are existing 
barriers to keeping and creating jobs in the United States, 
particularly in the following areas:
            (1) Trade restrictions and inequality.
            (2) Bureaucratic red tape.
            (3) Innovation and investment.
            (4) Health care security.
            (5) Lifelong learning.
            (6) Tax burden and complexity.
            (7) Lawsuit abuse and litigation management.
            (8) Energy self-sufficiency and security.

SEC. 2. NEED FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION.

    The House of Representatives recognizes that improving the 
competitiveness of the United States economy depends on congressional 
action to remove barriers in the areas referred to in section 1.

SEC. 3. FEDERAL AGENCY REVIEW OF RULES AND POLICIES.

    The House of Representatives expresses the sense that every Federal 
agency should review its rules and policies regarding the 
competitiveness of the United States economy.
                                 <all>