[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 66 (Monday, May 5, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2632-S2633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JOB CREATION

  Mr. COATS. Madam President, all 100 of us, Republicans and Democrats, 
are concerned about our fellow citizens who are unemployed, struggling 
to pay their bills, and desperate to find meaningful work. We are 
concerned about the lack of opportunities in many of America's 
communities and the urgent need for more good-paying jobs across the 
United States.
  There are Hoosiers and citizens across this country hurting in this 
economy, and it seems as though a new negative economic headline comes 
out every day. Consider some of the recent discouraging reports we have 
heard. According to a new USA Today/Pew research poll, Americans by a 
2-to-1 margin rate the Nation's economic conditions as poor, and just 
27 percent say there are enough jobs available where they live.
  A few days ago, the Commerce Department estimated that between 
January and March of this year, the U.S. economy grew a shocking 0.1 
percent. That is .1 percent from no growth whatsoever and just .2 
percent from racking up a first quarter of recession.
  It takes two quarters back to back to qualify for recession, but we 
are in the recovery period from one of the deepest recessions since 
World War II. Now we are into the fifth year, close to the sixth year, 
of a stagnant economy growing at half the rate it normally does after a 
recession, and Americans are still out of work.

[[Page S2633]]

  In addition, the U.S. labor force participation rate is at its lowest 
point in 36 years. Not since the days of Jimmy Carter has such a low 
percentage of Americans been in the workforce.
  In fact, another shocking headline: Over 800,000 Americans dropped 
out of the labor force last month alone. Let me say that again. Over 
800,000 Americans dropped out of the labor force in just 1 month--
800,000. That is enough people to fill Lucas Oil Stadium in 
Indianapolis, home of Super Bowl XLVI and the Indianapolis Colts, one 
dozen times.
  The Bureau of Labor Statistics calls many of these 800,000 
``discouraged workers,'' and they join over one-third of all working-
age Americans no longer seeking work. It is not only those who are 
earnestly out there every day trying to find a job, any job, this is a 
staggering number of people who have simply given up, saying: It is not 
worth the effort; I can't find a job; the jobs simply are not there.
  Even those young Americans starting their careers, just entering the 
workforce, are not entering at the traditional level, the level which 
they are qualified for, have trained for or have been educated for. 
They are being forced to accept positions that they are overqualified 
for at wages way below what they expected to make after all their 
efforts preparing themselves through education and skills training to 
join the labor force in America.
  Given years of growth at half the expected level and high 
unemployment, it is not surprising but it is very disheartening to hear 
this news continue well into the fifth year after the recession. But 
rather than point fingers or assign blame, I am here today to seek, 
hopefully, a consensus that the Senate needs to propose, needs to 
debate, and needs to support measures that will increase economic 
growth and provide economic opportunity for those who are seeking to 
join the labor force.
  It is time for us to start talking about maximizing opportunity. 
Webster's dictionary defines opportunity as ``a good chance for 
advancement or progress.'' That is what American workers at all levels 
of skill and income deserve, but many of us have introduced our own 
ideas about job creation and economic growth.
  Earlier this year I put forward a detailed 10-point plan that I call 
The Indiana Way. Based on stories and suggestions from Hoosiers, these 
are commonsense solutions to some of our Nation's biggest problems. 
Many of my proposals incorporate ideas that have gained bipartisan 
support.
  We are not in the Senate arguing against each other, we are trying to 
find solutions, proposals, to debate together, to support together, and 
to move this country forward.
  The Indiana Way includes commonsense proposals to reform our broken 
Tax Code, reduce regulations that are crippling industries and 
business, unlock American energy sources, and support community banks, 
credit unions, and those who are providing the tools for investment and 
the tools for growth.
  I welcome the chance to discuss how these ideas will help Hoosiers 
and Americans who are struggling in this economy, and I know many of my 
colleagues are also eager for the opportunity to discuss and debate 
real solutions to help our workforce. There are a number of proposals 
that have been brought to this floor by my colleagues.
  Senator Portman, who sits at a desk next to me, and others have put 
forward meaningful proposals we ought to be debating. We shouldn't be 
talking about: Well, nothing is going to get done because it is an 
election year.
  We ought to set that aside and say for the sake of the future of this 
country and for all of those seeking work and don't have it, let's 
debate the real issues. Let's work together to pass something that will 
make our country stronger and our economy better.
  It was one of my former colleagues and friend Jack Kemp who once 
said:

       Our goals for this nation must be nothing less than to 
     double the size of our economy and bring prosperity and jobs, 
     ownership and equality of opportunity to all Americans, 
     especially those living in our nation's pockets of poverty--

  And especially those who are earnestly seeking work and simply can't 
find it. Today that goal remains worthy of our time and efforts. Let's 
join together and have a conversation about real solutions that will 
make our country stronger, improve the lives of all American citizens, 
and build a better future for the next generation. This should be our 
goal. This is the goal that should unite us, and it is long past time 
for us to get serious about it and take action.
  With that, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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