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.
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
I’m extremely disappointed that House Republicans failed to address a number of the critical issues facing Congress before they adjourned for the August district work period.
“This morning’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that our economy added 161,000 private sector jobs in July and that the unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level since 2008 is encouraging news. Our economy continues to add jobs, but Congress must do more to achieve the level of growth necessary to put every American still seeking employment back to work.
“I thank the Ranking Member of the Rules Committee, my friend, Ms. Slaughter, for yielding. I want to say I have a great deal of respect for the Gentleman from Oklahoma. But I say that this House is not working.
“I was deeply disappointed to see that Senate Republicans voted nearly unanimously to block consideration of the Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill today, even while a bipartisan majority of senators voted to move forward with the bill.
“Thank you all for being here. You see our logos, of course, which you’ve seen now for years, about Make It In America. I’m pleased to be joined by my colleagues who are introducing or explaining eight of our Make It In America bills. We’ll be talking a lot about Make It In America during the August break.
"Today's report from the Institute for Supply Management, which shows that our manufacturing sector growth accelerated in July, is further proof that America has what it takes to revitalize and sustain a strong manufacturing base.
Today, House Democrats announced eight new bills that have been added to the Make It In America jobs plan, which is focused on four key priorities to strengthen American manufacturing and help businesses grow and create jobs here.
It’s the last week before the August district work period, and Republican dysfunction is on full display. If you needed any more proof that Republicans have to work with Democrats to get things done because their Conference is so divided, look no further than what’s happened today: first they pull THUD appropriations from the Floor; now they’ve pulled 3 Oversight suspensions (H.R.
"Thank you very much Madam Leader. As all of you would expect, we talked about a variety of issues. What the President brought every issue to [is] how it impacted on expanding the middle class and growing jobs.