Jobs & the Economy
Throughout the 117th Congress, House Democrats have partnered with President Biden to enact policies that expand economic opportunity for businesses, workers, and communities across America. Under President Biden and Congressional Democrats, the unemployment rate is at its lowest in more than 50 years with more than 10 million jobs created, helping more of our people get ahead in today’s economy and Make It In America.
Democrats pursue an economic agenda that helps American businesses create good-paying jobs and ensure that workers have the tools not only to get by but to get ahead in our global economy. From raising the minimum wage to providing skills training and apprenticeship opportunities to ensuring equal pay for equal work, from making childcare more affordable to making it easier to save for retirement, Democrats’ economic policies are aimed at helping workers and their families attain real economic security at every stage of life.
Democrats have also delivered historic legislation investing in infrastructure and greater access to high-speed internet, taking the lead in the clean-energy economy, and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. The generational Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already begun to expand economic opportunity for Americans in communities across the country and takes action to repair our nation’s roads, bridges, ports, and other infrastructure while creating nearly 1.5 million jobs annually over the next decade. It contains the first major American investment in climate resilience to help communities upgrade their critical infrastructure and mitigate the impact of climate change-driven extreme weather. Likewise, the Inflation Reduction Act also advances America’s clean energy goals, turbocharging clean energy research and transmission while promoting electric vehicle domestic manufacturing to reduce American dependence on gasoline while revitalizing our auto industry.
The CHIPS and Science Act includes bipartisan measures to revitalize the domestic semiconductor industry and spur research. By strengthening domestic supply chains, this law acts directly to accelerate American innovation in the long-term while acting immediately to address inflation and create good paying jobs. House Democrats will continue to champion skills training and education at every level – from early childhood learning through higher education – to prepare our people for success and advancement in a changing economy. In all of these efforts, Democrats will continue to look for ways to make access to opportunities more equitable and to combat the lingering effects of legalized discrimination that continue to make it harder for minorities to access credit for loans, seek investment capital for startups, and build wealth to pass on to the next generation.
With historic job creation under President Biden, House Democrats will continue to advance policies that expand economic opportunity for working families, support small businesses, and create better-paying jobs.
First of all, the issue here has been raised by a case that is not yet concluded. Let me state that again. The issue raised in this legislation is referenced to a case that is not yet concluded. And seeks to either pose our judgment for the finder of fact and law's judgment. Normally we believe that's a bad practice, in a nation of laws not of men.
What the President offered was a getting jobs now bill. He wants American jobs to be created as soon as possible and offered a comprehensive package, which is related to one another, putting money in the hands of businesses so they can hire and grow jobs, putting money in the hands of consumers so they will be able to purchase goods.
This week, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction began work on a roadmap to bring down our nation’s deficit and restore our fiscal health. They heard from Doug Elmendorf, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, who reiterated once again what we already know: our nation’s current fiscal position is not sustainable. We also know that the problem we’re facing stems in part from buying things without paying for them, including two wars, tax cuts for the wealthy, and a prescription drug program.
I am pleased that Republicans have agreed to work with us to fund our nation’s critical highways, mass transit, and aviation systems and not place nearly one million jobs at needless risk. However, legislation extending the FAA and Highway bills is in no way a substitute for responsible long-term authorizations of both these measures. Democrats have long advocated for improving our infrastructure in order to help America to compete with the world and create jobs here at home. Investing in infrastructure is a key component of our Make It In America plan.
With President Obama sending the American Jobs Act to Congress on Monday, we here in the Democratic Whip Press Office thought we would take a look back at Congressional Republicans’ words and votes on many of the ideas central to President Obama’s proposal.
Today the Joint Select Committee begins its critical task of putting our nation back on a fiscally sustainable path. It is imperative that the Committee succeed in reaching an agreement so that we can give Americans, businesses, and the international community confidence in our economy and our ability to come together and address the challenges we face. I believe they should strive for the biggest agreement possible. It should be balanced and ensure that everyone pays their fair share, rather than putting the entire burden of balancing the budget on the backs of the middle class and seniors.
I want to thank the Progressive Caucus for their tireless focus on putting Americans back to work. Americans across the country continue to struggle in a weak economy, and the Progressive Caucus has made sure that those Americans are not forgotten. While Republicans have not taken strong action on jobs this year, the Progressive Caucus continues to advocate for job creation measures. I look forward to working with them to create jobs through the President’s American Jobs Act, House Democrats’ Make It In America plan, and the Rebuild the American Dream Framework.
The Congressional Black Caucus did two things. It said, we hear and we say ‘ouch.’ We understand the pain you're experiencing. We feel your pain. But if all we do is empathize and feel pain, that's not enough. Our President addressed us this last week. He said we can shrug our shoulders and say, there's 14 months until the next election but the people in pain can't wait 14 months. That's what the Congressional Black Caucus did. Tens of thousands of people showed up throughout this nation because somebody offered hope and not just hope but real deliverables. Jobs were gotten. Interviews were set up. Training sessions for how you apply, how you dress, how you talk to prospective employers - those kinds of seminars were given. A difference was made by the Congressional Black Caucus traveling throughout this country.
Before House Republicans start dismissing the American Jobs Act, we hope they’ll check their math:
The President has delivered the American Jobs Act to the Hill, and I urge Republican leaders to bring this bill to the Floor as soon as possible. For nine months Republicans have not put forward a jobs plan or taken action to put Americans back to work. The American Jobs Act incorporates ideas that have bipartisan support, and it is paid for by closing wasteful tax loopholes to oil companies and for corporate jets while taking steps toward ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share. A number of provisions are similar to elements of House Democrats’ Make It In America agenda to create manufacturing jobs and lift the middle class. I hope Republicans will put politics aside so that we can pass the American Jobs Act quickly.