Lake Havasu City, AZ - Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to a report that the credit rating agency Fitch has lowered the United States of America’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating from AAA to AA+, which will have a major impact on the ability of the United States to borrow money at the best rates:

“The lowering of the credit rating is the direct consequence of the incompetence of the Biden administration. This in turn will increase the cost of borrowing, contribute to the ever-growing deficit and make it more attractive for borrowers to borrow money from other countries.

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25 states have recovered from pandemic job losses — but not Michigan

by Jamie A. Hope

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took to Twitter on Nov. 3 to tout Michigan’s jobs record. She tweeted “Michigan’s economic recovery is among the strongest — with 355,000 jobs announced in 2021 and 2022. I will keep working with anyone to boost Michigan’s economy and put Michiganders on a path to good-paying jobs.”

But no matter how much Whitmer praises job growth in Michigan, the numbers do not support her enthusiasm.

It is no secret Whitmer had some of the most rigid lockdown measures in America. Some 32% of Michigan businesses reported government-mandated shutdowns in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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MASON CITY, Iowa –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly 150 million gallons annually.

“Investments made through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program are helping rural communities build stronger economies and will give consumers more choices when they fill up at the pump,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “President Trump has expanded ethanol use by unleashing year-round E15, and the result is more demand for American farmers and more affordable fuel for American consumers.”

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ReConnect Funding to Provide High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity to More Than 746 Rural Households

CORNELL, Wisconsin – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $3 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Wisconsin. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program.

“USDA supports both farmers and rural communities through investments in farm operations and essential infrastructure,” USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said. “Broadband is so important to farms and other businesses as it can help improve the quality of life in rural communities and help grow rural economies.”

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Distance Learning and Telemedicine Investments will Benefit More Than 12 Million Rural Residents

WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $72 million in grants to help rural residents gain access to health care and educational opportunities. These investments will benefit more than 12 million rural residents.

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This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly employment situation report. In September, the United States added 661,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 7.9 percent.

In the last five months, 52 percent of the job losses from the pandemic have been recovered, and the United States has gained more than 11.4 million jobs, including a combined upward revision in July and August of 145,000 jobs. Although this year has not been easy, the grit of the American worker has not wavered, and we are in the midst of the fastest economic recovery in American history.

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