Let’s Focus on Long-Term Solutions

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On the Senate floor today, Sen. Corker responded to President Obama’s address to Congress on jobs and the economy.

 

“I think there are many of us in this body, and I think in the House of Representatives, that really believe the best way for us to deal with our short-term economic situation is to deal with the long-term structural issues that are affecting our country so much,” Sen. Corker said. “[W]e have a tremendous opportunity to deal with our long-term issues, which will immediately affect our economy now and stimulate it…I hope that what we will not do is become sidetracked on things that are more working around the edges, more around the fringe, things that are short term in nature.”

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Sen. Corker also discussed the President’s address and the economy this morning on MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown.”

 

“I think most of us know that to really deal with our short-term issues we've got to indicate that we can deal with our long-term, more structural issues. I really do think there is a strong bipartisan consensus around tax reform much like was laid out in Bowles-Simpson, entitlement reform and really pushing this super committee towards a $3 trillion number and not the $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion that was the base case. I think there is consensus growing around a longer-term highway bill, where people really know that we're going to deal with infrastructure over the long haul,” Sen.  Corker said on MSNBC. “I think anybody who's actually been a job creator, like myself and several others who are in the Senate, understand that we've got to create that long-term environment for people to go ahead and make those investments and know that our country has dealt with these issues. My sense is again, we have tremendous opportunity in November and December to do some great things for our country, and I think that's where most of us want to remain focused, and hopefully that's what's going to happen.”

 

Prior to the president’s speech on Thursday, Sen. Corker laid out some of his ideas to help the economy.

 

“It’s the private sector that creates jobs; the federal government’s role should be to create the proper environment,” said Sen. Corker. “The best way for us to deal with the issues our country faces in the short term is to focus on the long term and create certainty. We need to peel back unnecessary federal regulations that are hurting job creation, embrace tax reform that eliminates loopholes, permanently lowers individual and corporate rates and broadens the base, address entitlement reform in a meaningful way that ensures solvency, encourage the debt super committee to achieve at least $3 trillion in overall deficit reduction, pass a longer-term highway bill – not just a four-month or six-month extension and free but fair trade agreements that expand markets for American products, and grow all forms of domestic energy production.”

   

Press Release: Corker Hopes President Will Focus on Long Term Solutions, Says Government’s Role Should Be Creating Environment for Private Sector Job Creation
 

Remembering 9/11   

 

Sen. Corker made the following comments today on the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

 

“Ten years ago, America experienced an unthinkable tragedy. As we reflect on the events of that day, we are reminded of the courage, compassion, and heroic efforts by Americans during and after the attacks. I know I join all Americans in remembering the innocent lives lost, honoring those who continue to serve and protect our communities and our country, and committing ourselves to doing our part to make our country stronger,” said Sen. Corker.

 

Sen. Corker is a cosponsor of the Moment of Remembrance resolution (S. Res. 237), unanimously approved in the Senate this summer, to recognize the victims of 9/11.

 

The resolution, introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg, calls on communities to cease work and other activities for one minute and mark the moment in an appropriate manner.
 

Columbia, Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Memphis are among 400 cities across the country participating in the Moment of Remembrance at 1 p.m. EDT, 12 p.m. CDT, on Sunday, September 11, 2011.