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.
Five years ago today, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 an hour, and it has not changed since.
I was pleased to be at the White House today as President Obama signed into law the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
On Wednesday, House Democrats revealed our new economic agenda geared at jumpstarting the middle class and ensuring that everyone can Make It In America.
With the Export-Import Bank set to expire on September 30, the pressure to reauthorize the Bank – and protect the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports – continues to mount. Yesterday a group of 31 governors, including 11 Republicans, wrote a letter to Congress urging them to reauthorize the bank, which is crucial in supporting U.S.
The middle class needs a jump start.
Fifty years ago, President Johnson said this on the War on Poverty. He so boldly declared – now, I am old enough that I heard him say this, and I was excited about it: ‘It will not be a short or easy struggle.
There's some good news. The good news is that this Committee is chaired by someone who wants to invest in America, grow jobs, and expand our economy.
Today's Economic and Budget Outlook from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office ought to be a stark reminder that Congress must work together to promote fiscal sustainability over the long term.
This week, the House joined together and passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a bipartisan bill to help Americans access the education and training they need to find jobs.
Before he leaves the Floor, I want to say to the Majority Leader, I thank him as well for his leadership. The Majority Leader and I have discussed this Skills Act for a number of months – perhaps as long ago as when this bill passed the House.