McCarthy: Congress needs to focus on restoring America's econonic stability

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) gives us his view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "It was a somber week on Capitol Hill as we paused to remember and mourn those who died and those who were injured in this tragic and unthinkable shooting incident in Tucson. My colleague, Congresswoman Grabrielle Giffords, who I came to Congress with in 2006, is making improvements, and Judy and I continue to pray for her full recovery, as well as for the families of those who lost loved ones last weekend.

 "Next week, Congress will be back in session as we refocus on restoring America’s economic stability by cutting spending and reducing burdensome regulations so small businesses can thrive.  One item in particular in A Pledge to America that we said we would focus on in our new governing agenda was the repeal of unfunded or onerous Federal mandates that hinder job creation and adversely impact small businesses. 

 "One of the most burdensome mandates that was enacted into law is a provision requiring small businesses to file a 1099 tax form for any purchases of $600 or more they make.  Also known as the 1099 reporting requirement, this will require so much costly and time consuming paperwork for small businesses that even the IRS has indicated it is not prepared to process and handle it all.  These types of requirements are burdens that stifle small business expansion.  That is why I cosponsored and strongly support Congressman Dan Lungren’s bill, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011 (H.R. 4), that would repeal the 1099 reporting requirement. 

 "In addition, this week several of my colleagues from California and I sent a letter to the Appropriations Committee asking it to consider legislation to withhold funding for the U.S. Forest Service to implement the agency’s 2005 Travel Management Rule (TMR) in California.  Like many of you I enjoy using our public lands for many recreational activities such as hunting and off-roading.  Unfortunately, the TMR, combined with a Forest Service decision to designate certain single lane, gravel or dirt roads as “highways” in national forests in California, could potentially result in up to a 90% reduction in off road vehicle (OHV) routes in our forests.  This is unacceptable, especially given the Forest Service has been provided ample information from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the public that these dirt roads do not constitute a highway.  Hopefully, the Forest Service will change course on this issue and listen to CHP and the public.  If not, I look forward to working with the Appropriations Committee to preserve OHV and other recreational opportunities in our national forests. 

 "Thanks for reading and have a great weekend as we remember the work and legacy of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.