Three years ago, unemployment was at 8.3 percent and our country was facing an ugly economy. A newly elected President Obama told us that drastic action was needed in the form a massive government spending bill - the largest in our history - and only then could we improve our economy and put Americans back to work. Well three years and $862 billion later, the nation’s unemployment rate remains exactly the same, and our national debt has exceeded the size of our entire economy. In short, nothing’s changed except the national debt.

The stimulus bill was a mistake and a failure - that much is clear. Today, we have a lower total number of employed Americans and a higher level of those who have grown so discouraged they’ve stopped looking for work entirely.

With more than two-thirds majority voting in support, the U.S. House of Representatives voted today to pass H.R. 3835. This legislation would extend the pay freeze of Members of Congress and non-military Federal employees through 2013.

On Friday I introduced H.R. 3835, legislation that would extend the pay freeze of Members of Congress and non-military Federal employees through 2013.

My bill is scheduled to be considered and voted on in the House on Wednesday, February 1st.

In an effort to appease political supporters during an election year, President Obama has effectively turned his back on our economy and has decided to ignore the potential to create more than 100,000 American jobs. You can’t be pro-jobs and anti-pipeline. You can’t be pro-energy independence and anti-pipeline. It’s a real shame this Administration has decided to reject jobs and growth in order to avoid what they perceive to be a thorny political issue. This project has received wide support from both sides of the aisle - including major Labor Unions. Now, as Canada begins to explore other export markets, such as China, I strongly urge President Obama to reconsider delaying his decision before it is too late.