“You didn’t build that” is a phrase we’ve heard one time too many.This attitude is still prevalent in Washington and bureaucrats continue to stack the cards against us, erroneously discrediting our hard work. It’s time for these folks to face the music — government doesn’t create jobs, and bureaucrats have no business imposing burdensome rules and regulations on the American people, especially without proper oversight.

The hard truth is we all suffer because of the Obama administration’s “pen and phone” rules, paperwork and red tape. Complying with federal regulations costs Americans $1.88 trillion in 2014 alone, with small businesses and manufacturers bearing the brunt of these costs. The last thing we need is burdensome regulations that raise prices for hardworking families, decrease paychecks and cost jobs.

As clearly displayed in last month’s jobs report, our tepid economic recovery is sputtering along and unable to sustain a decent recovery. This has left too many folks struggling to find work and pay for the high cost of everyday life. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has only made things worse by passing more than 500 economically significant regulations that put an enormous burden on our economy and pocket more of our tax dollars. I hear from folks all the time who are frustrated with the federal government standing in the way of North Carolina jobs. I share those frustrations. I believe our economy is poised for a comeback, but we need the right policies in place to create an environment where folks can find the opportunities they deserve.

Given the current administration’s propensity to rely on executive power to legislate, Congress took action to stop it. The House recently passed the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (H.R. 427), which will require any rule or regulation with an economic impact of $100 million or more to come before Congress for a vote before taking effect. As your representative, I will have a say and a vote to put an end to these rules that hurt our economy. Because of the REINS Act, Congress will be empowered to prevent our bloated bureaucracy from crushing our manufacturers with unnecessary costs and empower them to grow, expand and hire people.

The Wall Street Journal has applauded this solution, saying the REINS Act “would revolutionize government in practice and help restore the representative democracy the founders envisioned.” In addition, it will prevent the president from unleashing a hailstorm of new regulations in the last days of his administration in an attempt to cement his legacy.

As I’ve said before, my top three priorities have always been and will continue to be jobs, jobs and jobs. I understand our economy is strengthened and jobs are created not by government, but by your hard work. Getting big government out of the way and enacting regulatory reform through the REINS Act and other pro-growth measures are pillars of my jobs plan. I know your priority is to find and keep a good-paying job and you work hard — for yourself, for your family and for our community — and that’s why I’m fighting in Congress on your behalf. See my jobs plan and tell me what you think at Hudson.House.gov/JOBS.

Richard Hudson, a Republican from Concord, represents the 8th District in the U.S. House, which includes most of Robeson County.