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.
“Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics signals the strength of our economic recovery, even in the face of uncertainty produced by Congress. With 246,000 private sector jobs created in February and a drop in the unemployment rate to 7.7%, the recovery policies enacted by President Obama and Congressional Democrats continue to promote private sector job growth for the thirty-sixth consecutive month. However, in order to ensure our recovery continues and further increases its pace, we must get our fiscal house in order with a big, balanced solution to deficits and invest proactively in encouraging private sector growth.
As we wait with baited breath for Rep. Paul Ryan to release the Republican budget, it looks like it’ll be more of the same. Just yesterday, we pointed out that the Budget Committee Chairman told the Wall Street Journal: “I wouldn’t expect any big surprises.” And boy was he right!
“[The sequester] is not shutting down government so obviously it's going to be a slow erosion, not an immediate tidal wave.
“I think the senators that went obviously wanted to talk to the President about whether or not they could reach common ground on a lot of very important issues including most importantly a compromise that we could get this country on a fiscally sustainable path and have what we call a big deal
If last year is any indication, the Ryan Budget due to be unveiled next week is sure to leave us disappointed.
Just today, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan told the Wall Street Journal: “I wouldn’t expect any big surprises.”
Democrats continue to call for a big and balanced solution to stop the irrational and irresponsible across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester. While House Democrats have proposed a solution to stop these reckless cuts, Republicans have refused on four separate occasions to bring this legislation to the House Floor for a vote.
“I agree with the Gentlelady who has just spoken. But I want to say to my friend, Mr. McKeon, this is neither regular order nor rational policy. It ought to be rejected.
Democrats continue to call for a big and balanced solution to stop the irrational and irresponsible across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester. While House Democrats have proposed a solution to stop these reckless cuts, Republicans have refused on four separate occasions to bring this legislation to the House Floor for a vote.
The reckless, across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester could have a disproportionate impact on critical programs that serve those in our nation’s most vulnerable communities. Instead of asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share by closing tax loopholes, Republicans have threatened many programs that seniors, working mothers, veterans, and many other Americans rely on.
“Mr. Speaker, I am extremely disappointed that the sequestration has taken effect, because Republicans refused to work with Democrats on a balanced plan to prevent it.