Economy & Small Business

Ever since the historic election on November 8, 2016, the United States has gotten a glimpse of what to expect from a Donald Trump Administration. President-elect Trump ran on an unabashedly populist platform that consistently put America first. Even before being sworn in President Trump was instrumental in convincing several American companies not to relocate and move American jobs overseas. And the stock market has consistently hovered around historic levels since Mr.

In Article I, section 7, clause 1 of the United States Constitution, our Founding Fathers laid out the framework for the Congressional “Power of the Purse.” Congress has the fundamental responsibility for raising revenue and appropriating spending. It has done so for more than two centuries, but the job has become more complicated than need be in recent decades. Over the past several years, passing a budget and funding the government has grown more difficult, and has even resulted in government shutdowns.

As the 114^th session of Congress begins to come to a close, many people – myself included - lament the time between now and the end of the year, also known as a “lame duck” session. Some believe that nothing should done until the new Congress and new President are sworn into office. Others believe this Congress should finish their jobs by passing a series of appropriations bills that have complied with the Budget Control Act.

In a little more than six weeks, a new labor rule governing overtime pay for salaried workers is set to take effect. Like many of his economic policies, this is another example of the President’s fundamental lack of understanding of the free market and the job killing aspects of overbearing federal regulations.