House Speaker Paul Ryan made a case for the GOP’s tax reform plan Wednesday, telling Ohio business leaders it will be beneficial for the manufacturing industry in the U.S.

The Wisconsin Republican asserted overhauling the tax code is a top priority for Congress as it’s necessary for American businesses to compete in the global marketplace.

“We have a tax system that penalizes job creation, economic growth, saving,” Ryan said at a roundtable in New Albany, Ohio, The Hill reports. “We want to fix that so we have more of the things we need in this country: More risk taking, more job creation, more businesses being built and more manufacturing occurring in America.”

Ways and Means member Rep. Pat Tiberi of Ohio and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Steve Stivers of Ohio joined Ryan.

“Our first job has to be getting tax reform done,” Stivers said.

The “A Better Way” blueprint on tax reform — supported by Ryan and Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady of Texas — is receiving pushback from members of the Senate due to its language on the border adjustment tax, which would place a levy on imports while exempting exports. Critics fear it will lead to an increase in prices on certain goods, which could potentially be passed onto consumers.

Ryan made it clear he believes congressional Republicans “completely agree with” the plan the administration rolled out last month.

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