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.
Our economy continued to add private sector jobs in May at a steady pace, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics announcing this morning that 216,000 private sector jobs were created last month.
Today’s announcement by the Commerce Department that the first twelve Manufacturing Communities have been selected as part of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to job creation and growing America’s manufacturing sector.
Earlier this month, the White House released the third U.S. National Climate Assessment revealing the dangerous effects climate change is already having – and will continue to have – on regions across the nation. From extreme weather and water shortages to rising food prices and seasonal allergies, the report serves as a call to action for Americans to work together to secure a more sustainable future.
Earlier this month, House Republican leaders held a press conference where they claimed that they were focused on job creation and bringing legislation to the Floor that would put more Americans back to work.
Promoting the growth of U.S. exports remains one of the core components of the Make It in America plan for jobs and competitiveness, and I welcome the Administration’s announcement today of a new phase in the National Export Initiative.
Today on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”, former Massachusetts Governor and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney joined Republicans Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty in voicing support for raising the minimum wage:
Mr. Speaker, we ought to extend the research and development tax credit to help businesses invest in innovation. But Republicans are asking us to do so without paying for it, which would add $155 billion to the deficit.
Mr. Speaker, I rise with a great deal of sadness. We're punting. USA Today said: ‘House action on tax extenders forfeits credibility on deficits and national debt.’ They are right.
Mr. Speaker, what a waste of the people's time for Congress to spend this week on politics and not policy. We are about to vote on a resolution that is really a partisan political message.
This morning, there was a room available for some of the citizens of our country to come to Washington and their Capitol – their Capitol, with their office building, and their office and tell their story. They cut us off.