It's Time for House Republicans to Work With Democrats to Make the American Dream More Attainable, Starting with Raising the Wage and Meeting Important Deadlines
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, House Republicans passed their budget conference report, a messaging document that includes unworkable policies that threaten our long-term economic competitiveness and make it harder for working families to get ahead. In addition to these extreme policies, such as turning Medicaid into a capped block grant and cutting $89 billion in Pell grants, their budget agreement also uses a gimmick to effectively eliminate the defense sequester cap while disinvesting in our domestic priorities. It will once again be very difficult for Republicans to implement their harmful budget. I will continue to urge my colleagues across the aisle to work with Democrats on a responsible alternative that replaces the sequester, puts our nation on a fiscally sustainable path, and invests in the areas critical to growing our economy and expanding access to opportunities so all Americans can get ahead.
One way to help more hardworking Americans enter the middle class is by raising the federal minimum wage, which has not been raised in almost six years. The current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour is not close to being enough to live on, which is why I was proud to cosponsor the Raise the Wage Act, introduced this week, to raise the federal minimum wage to $12.00 an hour by 2020 and index the minimum wage to the median wage starting in 2021. I hope House Republican leaders will listen to the strong majority of Americans and the many business leaders who support raising the minimum wage by putting this legislation on the Floor for a vote without delay.
Lastly, as several critical deadlines near, it is time for House Republicans to stop creating manufactured-crises and start taking real action to create jobs and strengthen our economy. The Export-Import Bank, which plays a crucial role in helping American businesses compete on a level playing field with businesses overseas, is set to expire on June 30. This week, I partnered with House Democrats to introduce a petition to force a vote on a multi-year reauthorization of the Bank so that it can continue to provide financing assistance to businesses across the country. The Highway Trust Fund’s authorization is also set to expire in the coming weeks, and I joined with Caucus Chairs to send a letter to Speaker John Boehner urging him to bring a long-term surface transportation bill to the House Floor for a vote. If Congress doesn’t act, Republicans will put at risk critical infrastructure projects, which will have a significant effect on jobs and economic growth. I hope House Republican leaders will work with us to address these important deadlines when Congress returns to session.
Sincerely yours,
P.S. Please invite your friends and family to sign up for this newsletter to learn about what House Democrats are doing to lead America in a new direction. You can also get the latest updates and join the conversation on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.
DEMOCRATIC NEWS UPDATE
Hoyer: Republicans' Budget Conference Report Disinvests in America
On Raising the Minimum Wage
- Hoyer: Raise the Wage Act Will Help Grow Our Economy, Make the American Dream More Attainable
- FACT SHEET: Raising the Wage for American Families
On the Export-Import Bank
- Hoyer: Republicans Should Reconsider Opposition to Export-Import Bank
- Hoyer Statement on Discharge Petition to Reauthorize the Export-Import Bank
Hoyer: I'm Confident the Supreme Court Will Reaffirm Equal Rights in Today’s Marriage Equality Cases