Congress Hits the Road to Listen to Americans’ Concerns

YUKON, Okla.—Finding dependable workers, dealing with a disrupted supply chain, and coping with inflation are some of the biggest challenges in today’s economy, said witnesses in a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee in this central Oklahoma city of 22,000.

A press release stated that the March 7th announcement was made. “Hearing on the State of the Economy: The Heartland” Aim was to listen firsthand to American concerns.

“Over the next two years, this committee will partner with the American People to develop solutions that will reverse the course of the Biden economy and deliver results that will improve their livelihoods,” The press release says.

Express Clydesdales is a Yukon working ranch that hosts the hearing.

Bryan Jackson, who co-founded Route 66 Processing, Chuck Mills, President of Mills Machine Company, Inc., Kelli Paayne, president Oklahoma National stockyards, Mustang, Oklahoma, Joe Brevetti, founder, managing member Charter Oak Production Co., LLC, Shiloh Kntz, Executive Director at the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

Mills Jackson and Brevetti, as employers, stated that their greatest challenge was finding qualified employees. This was an issue that existed before the pandemic. However, increased unemployment benefits in COVID lockdowns has only aggravated it.

“The pandemic made the struggle so much harder for my company and employers all across Oklahoma. The lack of a workforce is the root of all our problems,” Mills said.

The Mills Company produces equipment to drill shallow wells, like water wells.

Jackson agreed with Mills. Jackson said that he uses an unusual approach to hiring, including hiring non-qualified people but willing to train and hire people others might not want to employ, like convicted felons.

Jackson stated to The Epoch Times, that he sees employment as a privilege. “relational” Instead of being transactional, His goal is to make them feel that they’re tackling a problem and that their work contributes more than just making a living.

“The American dream is not lived on Easy Street,” He stated. “We’re there to help them better their lives.”

Jackson started his testimony with this slogan “Hard times make good people; good people make comfortable times; comfortable times make weak people; weak people make hard times.”

According to him, the combination of a declining family structure and an erosion in the work ethic as well as a feeling of entitlement has made it difficult to find job candidates who are willing to work.

“I see, firsthand, weak people creating hard times,” Jackson stated.

Kantz admitted to the concerns raised by the employers. She said that other problems contribute to the problem.

Oklahoma Policy Institute is an independent think tank that promotes policy for resolving problems such as poverty, child care and healthcare. Many people are unable to work as they lack adequate childcare or transportation.

A targeted relief could be a solution

Kantz claims that the solution to the issue is to reintroduce the Child Tax Credit expanded to $3,600, keep the Earned Income Tax Credit and expand Medicaid.

“I believe that targeted relief is the way to go,” Kantz said.

The committee’s Republican members stated that the increased benefits did more harm than good, and would only worsen the situation if they were not stopped.

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo. (Chairman of the Committee), Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) was the chairman of the Committee. He stated that the Biden administration increased spending even though it had been warned about inflation. Smith said that Biden’s budget will likely include more spending and put more pressure on the taxpayers.

“America’s heartland should expect a budget that will contain its assault on Americans’ way of life,” He stated.

Democrat Defends Policies

Richard Neal, D. Mass., was the ranking member of this Committee.He defended Democrats’ efforts. He said that the Inflation Reduction Act had increased Oklahoma’s gross internal product, decreased unemployment and reduced health care costs for seniors.

He said that the green energy sector had also created more than 2,000 jobs.

“We want to make sure the wealth of America is evenly distributed,” Neal stated.

Brevetti is a petroleum engineer. He said that inflation, government regulations, and supply chain problems drive up costs every day. Brevetti stated that reducing the tax burden of Americans would provide more relief.

“I’m having a hard time thinking of any country that taxed itself to prosperity,” He stated.

Payne agreed. Payne agreed. She stated that taxes and government regulations make farming difficult for farmers and ranchers. Payne is similar to Brevetti in believing that taxpayers should solve all their problems.

“Anytime hard-working Americans can keep money in their pockets, we should let them do that,” She said.

Yukon will be the next stop in the delegation’s national tour. Prior to Oklahoma, members of the committee met with residents from West Virginia.