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.
We already saw Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget go down in flames when House Republicans attempted their appropriations process on the House Floor (and had to pull from consideration the only bill that was at the Ryan budget level). Now CQ reports that more House Republicans are recognizing this is an unrealistic budget for the conference committee to consider:
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
I’m disappointed that this week, House Republicans continued to waste time by voting for the 46th time to undermine the Affordable Care Act, which is already providing important patient protections to millions of Americans. Democrats have always said that would work to improve health reform to ensure it works for everyone, and the President has taken positive steps to allow insurers to continue offering plans
"Our economic recovery continues to move forward, as the monthly jobs report for October shows. With an increase of 212,000 private sector jobs last month, our economy is putting Americans back to work, despite the negative effects of the government shutdown.
"Today's report from the Commerce Department that our gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.8% last quarter – the fastest pace in a year – is a strong indication that our nation's economy continues to be resilient, in spite of a lack of certainty caused by partisan dysfunction in Congress.
"Today's announcement by the Office of Management and Budget that the federal deficit for Fiscal Year 2013 has been significantly lowered continues a trend since President Obama took office.
“Today, House and Senate conferees will begin negotiations on a farm bill – negotiations Democrats have been requesting for months. I strongly urge the conferees to produce legislation that supports economic and jobs growth in rural America while protecting critical Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding for low-income families.
With less than 20 legislative days scheduled for the remainder of the year, there are a number of critical issues that Congress should take action on immediately.
With less than 20 legislative days scheduled for the remainder of the year, there are a number of critical issues that Congress should take action on immediately.
“Congress has a responsibility to take action to help America’s private sector create jobs and compete in a changing global marketplace, and I am glad Democratic Senators, led by Senator Chris Coons, have launched a manufacturing jobs initiative that will complement House Democrats’ Make It In America plan.
“Mr. Speaker, this is how we ought to work. This is how the Congress ought to work with one another – all 435 of us. I don't mean that 435 are going to vote for the bill, but we have worked together on this bill.