While our economy continues to add jobs and our economic outlook continues to become brighter and brighter we must remain fiscally disciplined.

Our economy grew over three percent during each quarter of 2005 and our unemployment rate continues to remain at five percent, well below the average of the last three decades. Close to two million new jobs were added in the past year and 30 consecutive months of payroll gains have shown that the pro-growth policies of this Congress have benefited the American people.

The proof isn’t just in job numbers though. Owning your own home has long been the American dream for many, and today that dream has become a reality for millions of Americans as housing starts have reached all-time highs in 2005.

While large corporations may grab the headlines, 99 percent of all businesses in America are small businesses, thus making them the backbone of our economy. Today, however, they remain swamped under a sea of regulations, litigation, and taxation. Rather than expanding into new markets, hiring new employees, and investing in research and development our small businesses are spending money on lawyers and tax compliance.

Frivolous lawsuits and forum shopping have turned our justice system into big business at the expense of small business owners. This kind of abuse is ridiculous and that is why I voted to end these practices by supporting the "Class Action Fairness Act."

This initiative:

Assures fairer outcomes for class action members and defendants; Outlaws certain practices that provide inadequate settlements for class action members; Assures that attorneys do not receive a disproportionate amount of settlements at the expense of class action members; and Prevents lawyers from forum shopping their cases to favorable juries and judges.

On the tax end, I voted to permanently repeal the Death Tax and have sponsored legislation to enact a “FairTax” that is a simpler and fair way to pay taxes for all Americans. Rather than penalize success our tax system should promote success and entrepreneurship - - the FairTax promotes these objectives.

Our economy has been thriving over the last year and if we want this growth to continue we must make the tax cuts permanent, encourage businesses to hire more people, and provide all Americans with the necessary tools to achieve the American Dream.

Budget – Federal Spending

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast we vowed that we would do all that we could to help. However, we must do so in a fiscally responsible way without adding to our national deficit. To do this Congress found over $40 billion in savings from various programs. I have supported a one, two, three and five percent cut to across the board spending and will continue to push for this. These savings are a step in the right direction, but more must and will be done in 2006.

The balanced budget amendment is something I’ve been an advocate of for years. The federal budget is much like a family budget and this amendment would maintain the fiscal discipline that is needed in Washington.