Representative Todd Tiahrt - 4th Congressional District of Kansas

| About the Economic Competitiveness Caucus |

Mission Statement
To focus Congressional efforts on uncovering and removing the barriers to American economic competitiveness. To deepen understanding of the underlying problems inhibiting economic growth. To determine the risks of current policies that keep us uncompetitive in a competitive world. To develop economic goals for the future and find the paths to get there.

Goals
More high quality, high paying jobs for all Americans today and into the future. A vibrant, internationally competitive American economy now, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years down the road.

Background
For almost two centuries the United States' economy has been the envy of the world. With its dynamic economy and hardworking, motivated workforce, America is truly the land of opportunity where innovation has thrived. That status is changing, however. Our nation is running a $726 billion annual trade deficit (2005) that is contributing to our budget deficit and has slowed the economy over the past few years.

This development is not a temporary blip on the radar screen. It is the culmination of a generation of increased regulation, unsound tax policies, languishing emphasis on math and science education, unchecked healthcare costs, rampant lawsuit abuse, unfocused research and development funds, and weak trade policy enforcement.

In short, our government has made it difficult and less desirable to do business in the United States. Over the past generation, our government has put up roadblocks to keeping and creating jobs in America. If these current trends continue, our economy will continue to lag and we will no longer remain the most dynamic economy in the world.

Meanwhile, China, India and other nations are preparing for the future. They are educating their students in math, science, and technology and pumping out record numbers of engineers. They are reducing tax rates and other economic barriers to entice investment in their nations. These countries are pursuing aggressive trade policies to reduce America's economic dominance in world trade.

Without attention to these matters, the United States is headed towards a third-rate economy. Twenty years from now, we may no longer be the world's leader.

Congress needs to take a long-term vision approach. For this reason, Congressman Tiahrt founded and is Chairman of the House Economic Competitiveness Caucus (EC2).

EC2 carefully examines ways Congress can uncover and help remove barriers to American economic competitiveness in the global market. The Caucus provides deepened understanding of underlying problems inhibiting economic growth and focuses on long-term risks within current policies that make American businesses less competitive.

EC2 wants to help ensure the American economy is vibrant and internationally competitive now and over the next several decades.

EC2