Roskam blasts Dems' 'stimulus agenda'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Ill., said Saturday Democrats insist on pursuing a "stimulus agenda" that will lead to more job losses and more government debt.

In the weekly Republican radio and Internet address, Roskam noted the country lost 131,000 jobs in July and called for more regulatory and tax relief for small businesses and families.

"Families are wondering why Washington is spending money we don't have and piling up a mountain of debt only to have the economy sputter and job losses continue," Roskam said.

The Illinois congressman also criticized President Barack Obama's plan to let tax cuts enacted during the administration of Republican President George W. Bush expire in January.

"At a time of serious economic challenges, massive new tax increases are a surefire way to stall growth and prevent businesses from creating jobs," Roskam said. "That's because every dollar in new taxes owed is a dollar that can't be used to pay current employees or hire new workers."

Roskam also took aim at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for calling lawmakers back to Washington to approve $26 billion in aid to states and schools.

"Unfortunately, instead of taking decisive action to provide small and medium-sized businesses with the tax and regulatory relief they need to flourish and hire new workers, Speaker Pelosi and Democrat leaders in Congress are coming back to Washington next week to double down on their 'stimulus' agenda that has led to fewer jobs and more debt," Roskam said.