GOP seeks to remove job-growth 'barriers'

WASHINGTON, March 16 (UPI) -- A Republican job-creation forum will seek to "eliminate barriers that hinder (U.S.) job growth" under the Obama administration, House GOP leaders said.

Wednesday morning's Forum on Job Creation, in a 450-seat auditorium at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, will feature large and small businesses, which the lawmakers, including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., dubbed "job creators."

The forum, which will stream live online, will include "a meaningful discussion" between House members and representatives of energy, technology, health, finance and other industries, said a statement from the lawmakers, who also include Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, and Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam, R-Ill.

A whip's primary purpose is to maximize party caucus votes in favor of official party policy. The chief deputy whip is the party's chief vote counter. The conference is the primary forum for communicating the party's message to members.

Boehner's office, which said it would release the names of participating businesses Tuesday, did not respond to a United Press International request for the names Tuesday evening.

"House Republicans continue to act on voters' calls to address job creation and grow the economy through the private sector," the lawmakers said in a statement.

The forum will let businesses "share valuable insights and experiences about the challenges they face," the statement said.

"We will also discuss how to eliminate barriers that hinder job growth and the proactive steps we can take to make it easier for them to hire and expand."

The White House and Democratic House leaders had no immediate comment on the forum.

Obama said at a White House job-creation forum Dec. 4, 2009: "I want to be clear -- while I believe the government has a critical role in creating the conditions for economic growth, ultimately true economic recovery is only going to come from the private sector."

He told chief executives at the forum, "if there are things that we're doing here in Washington that are inhibiting you, then we want to know about it."

Fred Lampropoulos, founder and chief of medical-device maker Merit Medical Systems Inc. of South Jordan, Utah, told Obama uncertainty over an "aggressive legislative agenda" was "really what's holding back the jobs."