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
This week, House Republicans passed their “Pay China First” bill that places our nation at risk of defaulting on our obligations. This partisan bill mandates paying China and other holders of our debt before our other legal obligations, including paying our troops, veterans benefits, and seniors’ health care.
“With the manufacturing sector’s strong potential to lead job growth for our economy, the Obama Administration’s announcement today of a competition to fund three more manufacturing innovation institutes is an important step toward greater competitiveness and the creation of high-skill, high-wage jobs for our middle class.
"Jobs was clearly on the President's mind and his focus.
“The sad thing is that this is not a serious response. This is an irresponsible response.
“I thank the Ranking Member [Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mi.)]. I rise partly in sadness, wholly in disappointment, that we are playing this game. How sad.
“I think [debt prioritization] is not a serious effort and I think the Democrats are going to be overwhelmingly, if not unanimously opposed to it.
“Ms. [Martha] Roby [R-Al.] and I are friends, but we have a very substantial disagreement about this bill. I call it the ‘pay working families less’ bill, because what it will result in is a cut in pay for almost everybody.
According to POLITICO this morning, Speaker John Boehner has admitted that the Republican bill on the Floor this week does pay China first:
“Listen. Those who have loaned us money, like in any other proceeding, if you will, court proceeding, the bond holders usually get paid first. Same thing here.”
This week, House Republicans are once again putting the U.S. at risk of defaulting on its obligations, and another downgrade of our credit rating. The “Pay China First” bill that Republicans are bringing to the House Floor this week is not a real solution to our nation’s fiscal situation.
“The jobs numbers released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that, while our recovery continues, Congress still must do more to address job creation.