[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 73 (Monday, May 7, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2505-S2506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               TAX REFORM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on one final matter, in storefront 
windows across America, new signs are going up--signs that many 
communities haven't seen literally in years. Here is what the signs 
say: ``Now Hiring.'' Just 16 months into the Trump administration and 
this Republican Congress, the percentage of American workers who are 
unemployed, underemployed, or have given up finding a job is already 
smaller than it ever was in any of the Obama years. In fact, it hasn't 
been this low since 2001. Let me say that again. Less unemployment, 
underemployment, and discouragement today than at any point in the last 
17 years. Or we can look at how many Americans are receiving 
unemployment benefits. The answer is this: fewer today than at any time 
since--listen to this--1973.
  We all know that these economic indicators can be noisy, but the big 
overall shift from the Obama era is impossible to deny. Republican 
policies have taken Washington's foot off the brake of the U.S. 
economy. We have rolled back a host of job-killing regulations. We have 
passed historic tax reform for middle-class families and job creators. 
These Republican policies have helped to unleash a dynamic, growing 
economy that is producing many more new jobs. It is putting the 
stagnation of the last decade literally to shame. That means sidelined 
workers get the chance to check back into the game. It means renewal is 
coming to so many small towns, small cities, and rural areas that had 
to sit and watch as Democratic policies funneled nearly all of the new 
wealth and new jobs into our Nation's biggest and bluest urban areas. 
It means higher wages, as local businesses are forced to compete again 
for the best workers.

[[Page S2506]]

  I recently read about a man named Chandler Steffy. He owns a roofing 
company in Iowa. Three years ago, in the Obama economy, his laborers 
earned less than $15 an hour. Today is a different story. The 
unemployment rate in Iowa is under 3 percent, and Mr. Steffy pays $25 
per hour to attract the best talent. American small businesses are 
doing well and outbidding each other for American workers. It feels 
good; doesn't it?
  After 10 years of Democratic policies, this had practically become a 
foreign concept. Not anymore--it is a new day. There is more business 
for job creators, which means good jobs that need filling, which leads 
to higher pay for workers. This is happening all over our country.
  Rich Obermark owns a small contracting business in Paducah, KY. They 
retrofit electrical systems, A/V equipment, and gas piping. He wrote me 
to explain: ``For our small company, the tax cuts will mean [we'll] be 
able to afford more trucks and tools.'' Tax reform, he said, ``will 
allow us to invest back into our company, which will in turn allow us 
to hire more people.''
  There is more business, more investment, more job openings, and 
higher pay for workers as a consequence. After 8 years of Democratic 
policies, this sure is a sight for sore eyes, and this is only the 
beginning. These are only the early returns from Republicans' pro-
opportunity, pro-worker agenda.
  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. SCHUMER. Mr. 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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