Why it matters: Arkansans deserve well-paying, sustainable employment and, with the right policies, Washington can help our state achieve that. Given the right tools and circumstances, small businesses can and will create good paying jobs for the people of Arkansas.

Where I stand: In order to foster an economic environment where job creation thrives, policymakers must promote an agenda that encourages growth and innovation—not stifles it. That is why we have begun to roll back a number of Obama-era regulations that stifle economic growth and job creation. When agencies overregulate, our economic growth comes to a grinding halt because job creation cannot happen in an environment of uncertainty.

Along with repealing unnecessary regulations, our antiquated tax code needed to be overhauled to foster economic growth and help hardworking Arkansans succeed. That is why passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 [P.L. 115-97] will help push our economic recovery across the finish line. This new law will help our economy grow by permanently reducing the corporate tax rate, which was the highest in the developed world, allowing American businesses to be more competitive and keep well-paying jobs here at home. I will continue to work with my colleagues on ways to simplify the tax code and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned income.

America is also held back in the global economy by trade barriers that must be eased. Arkansas’s businesses and manufacturers must be able to compete and Washington can do more to encourage that by pursuing fair trade agreements. Opening new markets, such as Cuba, will go a long way toward eliminating the significant competitive disadvantage Arkansas agriculture, manufacturing and small businesses currently face with our international trading partners.

Congress also has a role in ensuring that Arkansans have every opportunity to compete in today’s workforce. An educated, highly-skilled workforce that reflects the modern workplace is key to attracting world-class companies to our state. That’s why we are working in Washington to grow science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities, as well as career and technical education (CTE) programs, to get more young Arkansans prepared for the future. Similarly, we must commit to post-secondary education workforce training programs that give Arkansans the skills to be gainfully employed in high-paying, skilled jobs.

These are all commonsense ideas with widespread support in Congress. I am committed to working with my colleagues to see them enacted.