Upd8: Strouse discusses his plan for job creation

By Tom Waring
Wire Staff Writer

Kevin Strouse, the Democratic candidate in the 8th Congressional District, laid out his priorities to create jobs during a conference call last week with reporters.

Strouse’s blueprint focuses on education, infrastructure and helping small businesses succeed.

Strouse, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, said, “I’m laying out my priorities so that we can finally get Washington to work for us. While my opponent continues to vote against his middle-class constituents, I’ll reach across the aisle to rebuild the middle class and get our country back on the right track.”

Had Strouse been in Congress, he said he would have voted for recent measures to raise the minimum wage, lower student loan interest rates, ensure equal pay for equal work and end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Strouse added, “Time and time again, my opponent shows that he doesn’t represent our middle-class values. He protects tax breaks for big oil, he shut down the government, and he contributes to the constant gridlock and dysfunction in Washington. I intend to bring independent, results-driven leadership to the district so that we can rebuild the middle class and get our economy working again.”

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In other news, Strouse said he supports simplifying the tax system in order to lower tax rates and create jobs.

Strouse contrasted his views with those of his opponent, commenting, “Congressman Fitzpatrick’s priorities are clear: protect tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, and then leave the middle class behind.”

“This behavior exemplifies the 8th District’s frustration with Mike Fitzpatrick and this dysfunctional Congress. After not holding a town hall for the entire summer recess and working only eight days [in September], Congressman Fitzpatrick voted against common-sense solutions to begin to rebuild the middle class. Now, the congressman is back on vacation until after the election and still refuses to hold a town hall to explain his disappointing votes.”

Strouse is a former Army Ranger, CIA counterterrorism analyst and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives in Middletown with his wife and two young children. He is program director of Teach2Serve, a nonprofit that teaches social entrepreneurship to regional high school students.

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Last week, Fitzpatrick welcomed more than 25 small business owners and employers to Cairn University for a “Small Business Boot Camp” aimed at empowering district entrepreneurs with federal resources and information.

“Supporting our region’s small businesses is critical to growing a healthy economy that creates better jobs and more opportunity,” he said. “It’s my hope that our Small Business Boot Camp served as a one-stop shop for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to tap into resources available to them — from federal programs to regional economic data.”

Presenting at the free event were representatives from the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau, Small Business Administration and Bucks County International Trade Council.

Fitzpatrick is serving his third term in the House of Representatives. The 8th district includes all of Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.

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Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick has been named a “Guardian of Small Business” by the National Federation of Independent Business for his voting record on behalf of America’s small-business owners

“Small businesses and the workers they employ are the heartbeat of our communities and our economy,” he said. “I am pleased to receive this award and will continue to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to empower the workers and workplaces that create better jobs and more opportunity.”

NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Fitzpatrick for standing up for small business.

“The record shows that Rep. Fitzpatrick is a true champion of small business, supporting the votes that matter in the 113th Congress,” Danner said. “This award reflects our members’ appreciation for supporting the NFIB pro-growth agenda for small business.”