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.
“I thank the Gentlelady and thank her for her leadership on this issue. And I lament with Mr. Lucas that we don't have a bipartisan bill because I know that's what he wanted. That's what he forged. And that's what's been abandoned unfortunately by his party. I think that's sad for the country, it's even sadder for the people who will be so adversely affected.
"I agree with the President that we must do more to help U.S. businesses increase exports and be more competitive in a global marketplace. The more goods they sell around the world, the more opportunities there will be to hire workers here at home to manufacture those goods.
“This morning’s report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reaffirms what most economists already know: our long-term budget picture is not sustainable, which is why we need to build on the deficit reduction we have already achieved, and revenue must have a place in any successful solution to bring our deficits down over the long term.
“Five years ago, our nation faced the most dangerous financial crisis since the Great Depression when our financial and housing markets neared collapse as a result of unsavory practices by some of our county’s largest banks. Had it not been for emergency, bipartisan steps taken by the Congress and the Bush Administration, we might have witnessed economic catastrophe.
"The jobs report for August continues to show the underlying strength of our economy and the progress of our recovery.
Another week, and even more examples of how of the reckless sequester cuts are hurting our nation:
ICYMI, USA Today weighed in on the GOP’s dangerous debt ceiling games:
“As was the case during the last debt-ceiling debacle, in 2011, playing politics with the nation's creditworthiness is irresponsible and unnecessary.”
“Once again, our manufacturing sector is demonstrating its resilience and its great potential to drive economic growth and job creation. Today’s Institute for Supply Management report, showing strong gains for our manufacturing sector, ought to be a clear message that Congress must take steps to capitalize on these gains.
As our recovery continues, let us never forget that the strength of our economy depends on the skill and dedication of our workers, who remain the most productive in the world.
“As we mark the twentieth anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 taking effect, it is important to recognize how American workers and their families have benefitted from this law.