Hoyer Opening Remarks at House Democrats Issue Conference Panel "Beyond The Headlines: The American Economy"
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Press Release
For Immediate Release:
February 8, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) moderated a panel at the House Democrats’ Issues Conference titled, “Beyond The Headlines: The American Economy.” Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“I’m pleased to be moderating this panel today, titled 'Beyond The Headlines: The American Economy.'
“This panel deals with the central focus of our Party: the economic well-being and opportunities of working people, their wages, their access to good jobs, and their long-term security. That focus is the glue that binds and motivates every segment and every individual in our party. As our Chairman Joe Crowley observed: we see, we hear, we empathize – and we act on behalf of all those yearning and working to make it in America. The Caucus has invited four experts to share their view of the economy today, and how we should be talking about it.
“President Trump has spent a lot of time touting the economy – but we know that he is taking credit for the turnaround that started under President Obama, and we also know that those good numbers – like the stock market – can be fleeting.
“In fact, under President Obama and the policies we enacted in 2009, we’ve had eighty-three consecutive months of job growth – and in President Obama’s last year, we had 448,000 more jobs created than in the first year under President Trump.
“The American people expect us to stay focused on a growing economy that will benefit them and their families. What unites us as Democrats is that all of us are fighting for working families. As Vice President Biden told our Caucus yesterday: ‘This President is for himself; Republicans are for the President; we have to make sure working Americans know that Democrats are for them.’
“Too many working Americans feel left behind by the economic recovery, and they’re looking to Democrats for leadership. A lot has changed for the better since the Great Recession, but the uneven nature of the recovery left us with new challenges – and new opportunities.
“That’s why, as a Caucus, we have been pursuing the Make It In America plan to ensure that all Americans get a better deal: better jobs, better wages, and a better future. In 2015, many of you participated in a series of hearings called ‘Make It In America: What’s Next?’ to delve into the challenges posed by a changing economy. Byron Auguste, one of our panelists today, testified at one of those hearings. Those hearings identified three critical areas where Congress can make a difference: infrastructure; entrepreneurship; and education.
“I’ve been traveling around the country with other Members on a Make It In America Listening Tour to hear from businesses, workers, local leaders, educators, and other stakeholders – so far we’ve been to Nevada, Missouri, and Illinois, and next week we’ll be going to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
“We are hearing directly from those on the front lines of our economy how we can best invest in infrastructure, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure affordable access to education. This complements our messaging on offering a better deal.
“We are looking beyond the headlines to see what’s really happening at the ground level across the country. Our panelists today will address the question of how Democrats can focus on making sure that our economy gives everyone the chance to get ahead and make it in America.”
“I’m pleased to be moderating this panel today, titled 'Beyond The Headlines: The American Economy.'
“This panel deals with the central focus of our Party: the economic well-being and opportunities of working people, their wages, their access to good jobs, and their long-term security. That focus is the glue that binds and motivates every segment and every individual in our party. As our Chairman Joe Crowley observed: we see, we hear, we empathize – and we act on behalf of all those yearning and working to make it in America. The Caucus has invited four experts to share their view of the economy today, and how we should be talking about it.
“President Trump has spent a lot of time touting the economy – but we know that he is taking credit for the turnaround that started under President Obama, and we also know that those good numbers – like the stock market – can be fleeting.
“In fact, under President Obama and the policies we enacted in 2009, we’ve had eighty-three consecutive months of job growth – and in President Obama’s last year, we had 448,000 more jobs created than in the first year under President Trump.
“The American people expect us to stay focused on a growing economy that will benefit them and their families. What unites us as Democrats is that all of us are fighting for working families. As Vice President Biden told our Caucus yesterday: ‘This President is for himself; Republicans are for the President; we have to make sure working Americans know that Democrats are for them.’
“Too many working Americans feel left behind by the economic recovery, and they’re looking to Democrats for leadership. A lot has changed for the better since the Great Recession, but the uneven nature of the recovery left us with new challenges – and new opportunities.
“That’s why, as a Caucus, we have been pursuing the Make It In America plan to ensure that all Americans get a better deal: better jobs, better wages, and a better future. In 2015, many of you participated in a series of hearings called ‘Make It In America: What’s Next?’ to delve into the challenges posed by a changing economy. Byron Auguste, one of our panelists today, testified at one of those hearings. Those hearings identified three critical areas where Congress can make a difference: infrastructure; entrepreneurship; and education.
“I’ve been traveling around the country with other Members on a Make It In America Listening Tour to hear from businesses, workers, local leaders, educators, and other stakeholders – so far we’ve been to Nevada, Missouri, and Illinois, and next week we’ll be going to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
“We are hearing directly from those on the front lines of our economy how we can best invest in infrastructure, encourage entrepreneurship, and ensure affordable access to education. This complements our messaging on offering a better deal.
“We are looking beyond the headlines to see what’s really happening at the ground level across the country. Our panelists today will address the question of how Democrats can focus on making sure that our economy gives everyone the chance to get ahead and make it in America.”