Rep. Erik Paulsen
U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), who’s serving his fifth term this session, is chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, where he leads a bicameral contingent that advises Congress on the best ways to spur economic growth and create jobs in America.
The Minnesota lawmaker also serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and co-chairs both the House Medical Technology Caucus and the Digital Trade Caucus, putting him at the center of some of the most important finance-related issues related to U.S. economic policy.
The Congressman recently discussed his work to support constituents in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District with The Ripon Advance.
What has been the biggest legislative success you’ve had thus far for your constituents in Minnesota this Congress and why?
Helping write and pass the first overhaul of the tax code for the first time in 31 years is making our economy boom again. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve created 1.3 million new jobs and unemployment is at its lowest level in nearly 20 years.
For the first time ever, we have more jobs than job seekers. And, consumer confidence and small business optimism is at near-record levels. Millions of Americans are getting bigger paychecks, better benefits, pay raises and special bonuses. We’ve even seen American companies reverse course and reinvest here at home instead of sending jobs overseas.
While tax reform might be the highest profile accomplishment, I’m proud of the bipartisan progress I’ve played a role in to stop sex trafficking. By protecting victims and holding websites that profit from advertising sex with minors liable, we’ve been able to shut down Backpage.com and more than 80% of human trafficking that occurs on the internet. It’s gratifying to know this is saving lives.
How have you prioritized Minnesotans’ top concerns about the U.S. economy? What have your constituents told you they think will help spur economic growth and create jobs in your home state? How have you incorporated their solutions and suggestions into the committee’s advice for Congress?
As chair of the Joint Economic Committee, I have an entire team of economists that are validating the results of tax reform, including a growing, competitive economy.
I’m placing a special emphasis on bringing Minnesota small businesses and industry leaders to Washington to share their real world perspective and stories with my colleagues.
One small business owner from Rogers, MN testified about the benefits his employees are seeing with a pro-growth tax code. Another Minnesota company doing groundbreaking work in health care and telemedicine testified in the Ways and Means Committee about ideas to lower health care costs. And, just a week ago, I invited a Minnesota farmer, and President of the Farm Bureau, to share concerns that Minnesota’s agriculture community has about the President’s tariff and trade policies.
What is the situation in your home state regarding opioid abuse? How will the multitude of bills recently passed by the House help your constituents and others around the nation, generally? What specific bill or set of bills do you think is most beneficial to your state and why?
The opioid epidemic is ravaging the nation and sadly, Minnesota has not been immune. Every day 115 Americans die from this epidemic. I’ve held a series of roundtable discussions in Minnesota to examine specific components of this crisis, listening to families and victims share their heartbreaking stories and perspectives, as well as ideas from health care providers and law enforcement.
While there is no singular solution to solving this crisis, we’re making progress with bipartisan solutions. Congress has approved more than $4 billion in new funding to combat the epidemic and more than 60 individual bills.
For example, while seniors aren’t typically thought of as an at-risk demographic, half a million seniors are regularly prescribed large doses of prescription painkillers and more than 90,000 seniors are at ‘high risk’ of addiction. A bill I authored educates seniors about alternative non-opioid pain management therapies and on the proper, safe disposal of prescription drugs. More education means fewer overdoses.
As co-chairman of the House Medical Technology Caucus, what support have you provided on Capitol Hill for medical tech businesses in your home state and around the country?
The medical device industry is an American success story that is critically important to Minnesota’s economy, which employs 35,000 people. Minnesotans are doing some of the nation’s most innovative work in groundbreaking medical technologies to improve and save lives.
One of my top priorities is repealing Obamacare’s medical device tax. Because this excise tax is a tax on revenue, not profit, we’ve seen less research and development, fewer inventions and the loss of 29,000 jobs.
My bill to permanently repeal this job-killing tax recently passed the House with strong bipartisan support because both Republicans and Democrats recognize the importance of getting rid of this bad policy.
I’m also working to ensure the FDA approval process is predictable, consistent and transparent for innovators.
What are your views on trade efforts regarding NAFTA negotiations between the U.S., Mexico and Canada? Regarding the U.S. tariff penalties imposed on China, and vice versa? What impact have the disputes between our nation and our trade partners had on your home state? How should Congress advise the administration to move forward?
I believe we need a robust trade agenda to sell American goods and services around the world because more than 96% of all consumers live outside the United States.
While we need to address China’s unfair trade practices, I believe the President’s trade and tariff policies will backfire and threaten our economy with the loss of manufacturing and agriculture jobs here at home. We should be working to modernize NAFTA and create regional trade agreements with our allies to level the playing field for American exporters.
I’m directly speaking out and leading the effort to exempt fairly-traded products from tariffs that are important to Minnesota’s economy, like medical devices and consumer electronics. And, I’m hearing the alarm being raised by Minnesota’s farmers. Minnesota is the fourth-leading agricultural exporter in the country. Pork producers and soybean farmers may see their entire profit margins evaporate as a result of the tariffs, as they fear being priced out of overseas markets they may never be able to get back.
What has been the main impetus for your involvement in politics? Why do you want to get re-elected for another term?
Politics and public service are an opportunity to improve people’s lives and Minnesotans expect their elected officials to be results-oriented. I’m ranked number one in the entire Congress for obtaining the most cosponsors of legislation according to Govtrack.us. I want to continue my work finding solutions and getting stuff done for Minnesota.