From Main Street to Silicon Valley, American innovation is made possible by our nation’s unique economic freedom. With American entrepreneurs, small business owners, and consumers continuing to take advantage of our flourishing economy, President Trump hosted a “Made in the USA” showcase at the White House this week. For the third year in a row, the event showcased the hard work of American businesses and workers from coast to coast.

As President Trump said, “We want to build, create, and grow more products in our country using American labor, American goods, and American grit.  When we purchase products made in the USA, the profits stay here, the revenue stays here, and the jobs — maybe most importantly of all — they stay right here in the USA.” In addition to showcasing products from all 50 states, President Trump signed an executive order strengthening the standards outlined in the Buy American Act. By reaffirming his commitment to American products, workers and manufacturing, we will also see increased economic growth and job creation in our communities.  

As President Trump celebrated the American ingenuity and hard work driving our roaring economy, House Democrats voted for legislation that would potentially cost 3.7 million Americans their jobs. The so-called Raise the Wage Act would affect the national minimum wage, implementing a drastic 107% increase. Raising the minimum wage has been gaining traction in Missouri and other states across the nation. Our state recently implemented a slow phase-in of minimum wage increases, eventually reaching $12 per hour.

Unfortunately, the Raise the Wage Act would plan to boost the minimum wage immediately, a potentially disastrous blow to our growing economy. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget office, not only could we lose 3.7 million American jobs due to this legislation, but we would expect 62% of job losses to overwhelmingly hurt women. We would also expect more than 35% of job losses to hit Americans without a college degree, hurting entry level employees as they try to join the workforce. Finally, the non-partisan Congressional Budget office estimated that $9 billion of total real family income would be reduced.

In addition to job losses, small business owners across the nation would be faced with the consequences of this bill. Many small business owners would be forced to make impossible decisions between keeping the lights on or making payroll, eventually leading to smaller workforces and shuttered businesses. As a former small business owner myself, I can’t fathom the harm this would do to Main Street America.

The Raise the Wage Act is all smoke and mirrors. With up to 48,389 Missouri jobs on the line, I could not support the Raise the Wage Act in good conscience. Over the last few years, we’ve gained major economic traction, we’re consistently hitting record low unemployment, seeing record wage growth, and creating more than 6 million jobs since 2016. To ensure farmers, teachers, small business owners, and all Americans can take advantage of our growing economy, I will continue to support pro-growth economic policies that will unleash our nation’s economic potential. Working alongside my colleagues in Congress and under the leadership of President Trump, America is better off now and all signs point to continued economic success!