Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly released the following statement in advance of President Obama’s speech on jobs before a Joint Session of Congress.

“Too many Hoosiers are out of work.  People are hurting, and entire families are being tested by economic hardship.  That is the backdrop against which the president will address the nation this evening.  More than anything else, I hope he emphasizes that now is the time to put politics aside and do what is right for the country and those families.  More political gamesmanship will not create jobs and it will only further dispirit the American people, who are rightly expecting us to come together and produce results.   

“There will be disagreement as to what Congress should do to help boost the economy while we also work to reduce the deficit.  Those disagreements are expected and often understandable.  However, there are numerous proposals around which members of both parties could coalesce.  I outlined a few of these last year in a jobs agenda.  For example, I introduced legislation that would have established tax credits for businesses that hired new workers in counties that had been hit hardest by the recession—those with 8.5% unemployment or more.  My agenda also would have made permanent the research and development tax credit, rewarded small businesses that invest in new equipment, and leveled the playing field by cracking down on Chinese currency manipulation.

“In addition to these ideas, I think President Obama should outline specific proposals on how we best prepare the American workforce to compete in the global economy.  This year, I introduced The AMERICA Works Act which would better connect skilled workers with the employers who need them.  We will remain the best workforce in the world if we continue to innovate and learn the skills necessary to both create and fill the jobs of the future.  

“These are only a few examples of proposals I have supported in the past, and I expect to hear more about how we can move our economy forward from both the president this evening and amongst my colleagues in the public and private sectors in the days ahead.  Congress has just as much responsibility as the president to do what it can to help folks get back to work and encourage businesses large and small to invest in the American people and American equipment.”

Read more about Donnelly’s jobs agenda from the 111th Congress here.  Read more about Donnelly’s AMERICA Works Act here.