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 am pleased that Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate were able to work together to pass this provision of President Obama’s American Jobs Act that will encourage businesses to hire veterans and help veterans find work. Those who fought so hard for our nation overseas shouldn’t have to do so here at home just to find a job. The American Jobs Act, along with House Democrats’ Make It In America plan, contain bipartisan ideas that will get more Americans back to work right away and increase our economic competitiveness in the long run. I urge Republicans in both chambers to follow the passage of this legislation by working with us on passing the remainder of the American Jobs Act and the Make It In America plan. Congress must act now to help the millions of Americans who are unemployed. They cannot wait, and neither can we.
I join with the President in calling on Congressional Republicans to set politics aside and work together with Democrats on helping our veterans find work. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit and Wounded Warriors Tax Credit will provide financial assistance for businesses to hire veterans and remove a hurdle for those finding it difficult to transition to civilian jobs. The President’s American Jobs Act and House Democrats’ Make It In America proposal will help create jobs right away for veterans and all who seek work – but only if Republicans will work with us to do so. The American people – and the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform – cannot wait any longer for Congress to act. When the Senate brings this bill to the Floor later this week, I hope Republicans will support it.
While I am encouraged that the number of private sector jobs grew by 104,000 over the past month, representing the twentieth straight month of increase and bringing our unemployment rate down to 9.0%, there is still much left for us to do. Too many Americans remain out of work, and Congress ought not waste any more time and consider legislation that will help businesses create jobs right away.
Today’s jobs report shows that we need to take action on jobs immediately. But after more than 300 days in the majority, Republicans have done little to address job creation despite their repeated claims that they would focus on Americans’ top priorities: creating jobs and growing the economy. However, Republican rhetoric doesn’t match their actions.
I am disappointed that Republicans continue their refusal to work with Democrats on jobs legislation. This is the third time in the past few weeks that Senate Republicans have voted to block even the consideration of a jobs bill. At the same time, House Republican leaders have not brought any of the Democrats' Make It In America proposals onto the floor or put forth a comprehensive jobs plan of their own. The American people deserve a Congress that works, that is focused on creating jobs, and it is increasingly clear the Republicans will not deliver.
Yesterday we had a press conference… twenty Republicans and Democrats, equal number. Mike Simpson, myself and others made it very clear that over 100 members of the House of Representatives signed the letter saying to the Super Committee, look, everything needs to be on the table – mandatory expenditures and revenues – and we need to reach a $4 trillion give or take deal to put this country on a sound fiscal path. So we sent a letter to the Committee yesterday urging them to come to an agreement on that kind of package. Erskine Bowles and Senator Simpson testified, Alice Rivlin and Pete Domenici testified on Tuesday to the same objective. I am hopeful given the weight of responsibility that we placed on their shoulders and given the critical nature of achieving the objective of a big deal and doing it within a near term that they will come to agreement. It's obviously been tough. Obviously both sides have sort of hardened positions. But it is absolutely essential in the opinion of a lot of people around this country and a large number of members of the House and Senate that we come to agreement.
We are standing together today, Democrats and Republicans united in our deep concern over the size of our deficits, their contribution to our staggering debt, and their negative effect on our economy. We are here to send a message of urgency and support to the members of the Joint Select Committee.