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, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) successfully passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that would prioritize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dredging projects that are in close proximity to ongoing island replenishment projects. This language would directly benefit Chesapeake Bay tributaries that are in desperate need of dredging, such as Slaughter Creek. The specific amendment language is below:
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) successfully passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would provide $1 million in funding to pay for USDA mandated inspections of wild caught invasive species, including the blue catfish. The blue catfish is threatening the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and is not native to the Bay.
Congressman Harris made the following statement:
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a $491,700 federal grant from the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program.
Congressman Harris issued the following statement:
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced the award of a more than $57 million federal contract to three military contractors across the country, including Hardwire, LLC, located in Pocomoke City. The contract will provide the Army with Small Arms Protective Inserts hard armor plates to support Foreign Military Sales requirements. Two other armor manufacturers, one in Florida and one in Kansas, were also selected to receive portions of the contract award. For Hardwire, work will be performed in Pocomoke City and is expected to be completed by 2025.
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: