Growing Our Economy & Creating Jobs
One of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is to reach across the aisle in order to find common sense, bipartisan solutions that end Washington gridlock. In particular, two areas that have historically been bipartisan are infrastructure and small business.
There is no question that both large and small businesses are still feeling the effects of the 2008 financial crisis. Small businesses have long been the engine driving the American economy. While the economy has made important strides since the Great Recession, studies have continuously shown that small businesses have been slower to recover. As the president of Chicago-area small businesses, and as the former Deputy Illinois Treasurer, I have a unique perspective on how government can help or hinder small business growth and development. I am committed to working with all Members of Congress to look for ways the federal government can help small business owners by making lending simple and transparent, repealing burdensome regulations, and modernizing our nation's tax policies.
A strong national infrastructure is part of the foundation of our economy, yet we have failed to invest in transportation even though our infrastructure continues to age. That is why we need bipartisan solutions that can address the backlog of transportation projects throughout the country. I support the establishment of a National Infrastructure Bank which can provide low-interest loans to states and cities to help finance crucial projects like roads and transit systems. Finding innovative ways to finance infrastructure projects is a critical step toward renovating our transportation infrastructure while reducing congestion on our roads and highways.