Economy
We should not be satisfied with the historically low economic growth rate of the past decade.
Reforming the U.S. tax code is a key component to building economic momentum and growing our workforce. The United States has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, and this tax rate is driving American companies to send their manufacturing and customer service jobs abroad. Lowering the corporate tax rate will keep large businesses from sending jobs overseas, and a simpler tax code would allow small businesses to save money and grow. Government spending and regulation will not lead us to prosperity – only a vibrant private sector will.
More on Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced a $445,000 award to the Chestertown Marina in Kent County from the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. These funds will be used to support infrastructure improvement necessary for stormwater management drainage at the marina. Specifically the funding will pay for upgrades to the bulkhead and fueling and sewage pump-out facilities and tanks, which were at risk to flooding events.
Rep. Harris made the following statement on the award:
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a $40,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to Bayside Community Network, Inc. in Elkton. Specifically, this grant funding came from the Mobility for All Pilot Program, which seeks to improve mobility options through employing innovative coordination of transportation strategies and building partnerships to enhance mobility and access to vital community services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people of low income.
WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) announced that the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore have each been selected for a $70,000 federal investment from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) within the Department of Commerce. Specifically, these investments will support the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the regions served by the councils, which will support private capital investment and job creation in the region.
WASHINGTON, DC: On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7010 – the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) was an original co-sponsor of this legislation, which will add greater flexibility to the tremendously popular Paycheck Protection Program established by Congress and President Trump just two months ago.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) sent a letter today urging Acting Secretary Chad Wolf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to re-allocate unused FY 20 H-2B visas to meet the ongoing needs of the seafood and other essential industries. The H-2B visa program provides visas for temporary work in seasonal, non-agricultural industries and is subject to an annual cap of 66,000 visas. The visas are utilized extensively by seafood processors and crab houses, among others, on the Eastern Shore.
Rep. Andy Harris made the following statement:
WASHINGTON, DC: The Small Business Administration has announced that small seasonal businesses applying for Paycheck Protection Program loans can be evaluated on their business activities from February through June of 2019, rather than their operational capacity in February of this year. This is critical for seasonal businesses, who often are not fully operational in late winter.
Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON, DC: On April 23, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 266, the Payroll Protection Program Increase and Health Care Enhancement Act. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement on the bill's passage:
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of up to $50 million in federal contracts to Hardwire LLC in Pocomoke from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to manufacture face shields in light of the Coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, Hardwire has agreed to manufacture five million face shields under the contract agreement.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a $830,622 federal grant to Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corporation in Salisbury. Funding is being provided by the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program. This program is designed to support small shipyard projects that make capital and related improvements or provide training for workers in shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries.
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of $18,368,304 in federal grants from the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program. Funding was provided by the recently enacted CARES Act, also known as the "Phase III" Congressional emergency legislation.