The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee field hearing set for Tuesday in Yukon will give Oklahomans a chance to tell their stories of what has happened to the nation’s economy….an economy that saw food prices go up 10% in the past year.
Inflation, according to the Congressional Budget Office, is 130% in rural communities compared to urban communities. The CBO found real wages for American workers are down 3.9% since President Biden took office and the labor force participation rate of 62.5% is still below pre-pandemic levels.
The hearing is entitled “State of the American Economy: The Heartland” and will be held at the Express Ranch’s Clydesdale center on West Wilshire Boulevard north of Yukon.
Committee chairman, Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri led the first field hearing in Appalachia where small business owners and workers also testified.
“Their testimony highlighted the divide between the rosy picture the White House paints and the grim reality on the ground for millions of working Americans and families who are struggling to make ends meet and provide for their loved ones,” he said in announcing the hearing to be held in Yukon.
The congressman said it won’t be the last field hearing.
“Over the next two years, this Committee will partner with the American people to develop solutions that will reverse the course of the Biden economy and deliver results that will improve their livelihoods.”
Among the Oklahomans who will testify Tuesday is Bryan Jackson, Co-founder of Route 66 Processing and Chuck Mills, owner and President of Mills Machine Company, Inc.
Two others will offer their testimony. They are Kelli Payne, former President of the Oklahoma National Stockyards and Joe Brevetti, Founder and Managing member of the Charter Oak Production Co. LLC.