Congressman Good Update: Getting Our Fiscal House in Order

Fighting for the American People

Our country is in a time of historically high inflation that is crushing people with unbearable gas, grocery, utility, and housing prices. Americans are suffering, and our country is heading for a fiscal, financial, and economic collapse if we do not change course in Washington. Even with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, our actions have not met our stated goal of cutting spending.  I came to Washington to help get our country back on track and I am determined to continue to help lead the fight for the American people. I joined my fellow members of the House Freedom Caucus leadership team and our conservative friends in the Senate at a press conference this week to express our refusal to accept the status quo.

Fighting to Reduce Spending The Budget Committee held a hearing on the creation of a Fiscal Commission to tackle "mandatory" spending. We have a monthly deficit of $200 billion, which means we are spending roughly $600 more than we take in EVERY MONTH for every man, woman, and child in America. Put another way, we are spending $3 for every $2 we take in. If you think of your family budget, it would be like having $60,000 in income but spending $90,000. This is unsustainable and must change.   Sadly, the notion that Congress will somehow have the wherewithal to reform mandatory spending when we don't show a willingness to reduce "discretionary" spending is laughable. We have historic deficits, debt, inflation, interest rates, and interest payments. It is time for change.

Fighting for America's Right to Work I chaired the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee hearing on the National Right to Work Act which was introduced by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina. The right to work without being forced to join a labor union or pay union dues is foundational to our nation. Hard-working Americans in every state should have their right to work and direct how their paycheck is spent protected by the law.

The Heritage Foundation estimates that 94% of workers did not vote for their inherited union representation, meaning that only 6% of workers have consented to the union that negotiates on behalf of 100% of their coworkers. One witness during the hearing explained that she was able to double her salary by leaving a forced-unionization state and finding employment in a right to work state.    Congress should not act as the policy arm for Big Labor. We should permit the free market to operate unencumbered by Washington bureaucracy. As Chairman of the HELP Subcommittee, I am committed to fight for workers and their right to work without compulsory union membership.

On the Floor  I voted in favor of H.Res. 793, a resolution condemning the atrocities of Hamas and reaffirming Israel's right to exist. I will continue to stand unequivocally with America's greatest ally in the Middle East as they defend themselves against Iranian-backed terrorism. I also voted for the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which would refreeze the $6 billion President Biden gave the Iranians in September in exchange for hostages.    I was also pleased to vote for S.J.Res.32, which would repeal Biden's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that creates more burdensome regulations and increases costs for community banks that help our local economies. I was proud to be a co-sponsor of the House version, H.J.Res. 50.