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.
“Republicans in the House and Senate ought to weigh carefully their position of continuing to block an important lifeline for Americans who continue to seek jobs.
The Congressional Budget Office found that raising the minimum wage would lift 900,000 people out of poverty. More than 70 percent of Americans support raising the minimum wage. And now, a new report by the Center for American Progress shows that raising the minimum wage would reduce federal spending on food stamps by billions of dollars. According to the Washington Post:
Today, President Obama proposed a budget that is focused on growth, opportunity, and security.
"Today's report by the Institute for Supply Management shows a manufacturing sector that continues to expand at a steady pace.
"I want to comment on one of the statements [Majority Leader Cantor] made, which I agree, in which, Mr. Speaker, he just told us, again I agree: 'America doesn't work if middle class families are taking home less.'
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
Instead of taking action this week on critical issues, House Republicans continued to waste time on political message bills. Unfortunately, it appears that the schedule for the next few weeks won't address critical items either.
“In signing the discharge petition introduced by Rep. Tim Bishop to bring the Fair Minimum Wage Act to the Floor, I join with my colleagues in calling for a vote to raise the minimum wage without delay.
At a time when our country continues to face major challenges to its economy, it is very disappointing that the House returned yesterday for a three-week session with no substantive legislation planned to address those challenges.
“Good afternoon, and congratulations on reaching your eighty-fifth anniversary. I want to extend those congratulations as well to Senator Wendy Davis, who continues to make waves standing up – literally! – for justice, equality, and the rights of every individual in Texas and across our country. And I want to applaud my colleague in the House, Rep. George Miller, for his lifetime of service, especially as an advocate for a public education system that can prepare every student – regardless of background – for an equal chance to make it in America.
“Our budgets reflect our nation’s priorities, and the budget President Obama plans to submit to Congress next month for Fiscal Year 2015 will once again demonstrate his administration’s commitment to increasing opportunities, promoting job growth, and protecting our national security.