Dems on the Job – July Edition
July 28, 2017
In July, House Republicans laid the groundwork for a summer of continued inaction on creating jobs and raising wages. Meanwhile, House Democrats were busy rolling out a new economic agenda – A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Wages, Better Future. The new agenda would raise the wages and incomes of American workers and create millions of good-paying jobs; lower the costs of living for families; and build an economy that gives working Americans the tools to succeed in the 21st Century. In addition to this new economic agenda, House Democrats worked day and night to put forward policies, host events, and speak to constituents about their work to create jobs, raise wages, and improve the lives of hardworking Americans across the country. Below is a sampling of the legislation and activities that Members led in July:
LEGISLATION:
On July 12th, Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) introduced the On-the-Job Training Tax Credit Act of 2017, which creates a temporary tax credit for employers to help pay for training new hires. The bill will help close the “skills gap” that exists between the labor force and the skills employers require.
On July 12th, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) introduced the Improving Access to Higher Education Act, which would fully address the needs of students with disabilities and help improve college access and completion. This bill is part of Democrats’ ‘Aim Higher’ initiative.
On July 13th, Congressman Jerry McNerny (D-CA) introduced the Stop Outsourcing and Create American Jobs Act of 2017, which would penalize businesses that take advantage of overseas tax havens following the creation and identification by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury of a list of “corporate tax haven countries.” The bill would also crack down on federally contracted companies that exploit corporate tax loopholes that encourage shipping jobs abroad. Congressman McNerny also introduced the Outsourcing Accountability Act, which would require large corporations to disclose the number of its employees working outside of the U.S.
On July 13th, Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act, which would help small and medium-sized American manufacturers adopt smart manufacturing technologies.
On July 14th, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Supporting Working Moms Act of 2017, which would support working moms by expanding protections for break time and accommodations to pump breast milk to all working mothers.
On July 13th, Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act, which would provide land in trust to the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and to the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Currently these tribes do not hold any land in trust. The increase in tribal lands will spur job development and economic growth for both tribes. The bill also restores the Coquille Indian Tribe’s sovereignty over the Coquille Forest. Unlike any other tribe in the U.S., the Coquille must function under a legal anomaly with regard to managing its forest.
On July 14th, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Supporting Working Moms Act of 2017, which would support working moms by expanding protections for break time and accommodations to pump breast milk to all working mothers.
On July 18th, Congresswoman Ann Kuster (D-NH) introduced H.R. 3288, legislation that would reauthorize the Northern Border Regional Commission, a Federal-State partnership that provides critical economic and infrastructure development in some of the most rural counties in the Northeast. Since its creation in the 2008 Farm Bill, the NBRC has financed important community projects that have updated transportation infrastructure, revitalized municipal wastewater systems and enhanced renewable energy efforts. The NBRC was eliminated by President Trump’s budget, which jeopardizes future economic and infrastructure development grants that have created jobs and stimulated rural economics in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
On July 18th, Congressman Anthony Brown (D-MD) introduced H.R. 3269, which would give federal employees a 3.6% pay raise to ensure the best and brightest are recruited and retained in good-paying federal jobs.
On July 19th, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) introduced the On-The-Job Training Act of 2017, which would authorize the Department of Labor to award competitive grants to establish and support on-the-job (OJT) training programs, which connect unemployed workers with local jobs and provide employers with subsidies to pay workers’ salaries while they receive training.
On July 19th, Congresswoman Brownley (D-CA) authored legislation, H.R. 95, which would make the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program permanent and increases access for hardworking veterans looking to balance work and their health while ensuring economic stability.
On July 20th, Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL) introduced the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act to give a boost to veterans who invest in their communities through entrepreneurship. Veterans own 2.5 million businesses in the United States with over $1 trillion in revenue and 5 million employees, according to the Census Bureau. Congressman Lawson’s bill would establish a small business start-up tax credit for veterans creating businesses in underserved communities.
On July 24th, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) introduced H.R. 3376, which would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to create a pilot program to award grants to units of general local government and community-based organizations to create jobs, and for other purposes.
On July 25th, Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA), Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA) introduced the New Collar Jobs Act, which would reeducate and retain workers for high-demand jobs in cyber security by bolstering the nation’s infrastructure and manufacturing industries with mid-career workers in economically-distressed regions.
BRIEFINGS, HEARINGS AND EVENTS:
Summit: On July 11th, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) hosted a Small Business Summit in New York. The event featured guest speaker Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, and presentations by federal, state and local government agencies and utility companies.
Forum: On July 13th, Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) participated in a Forum hosted by the Brookings Institution on ‘Manufacturing under the Trump administration.’ Congressman Cicilline participated in a panel on the ‘Effects of the shifting manufacturing landscape,’ which included panelists from Vox, Taco, Inc., and Metropolitan.
Panel: On July 18th, Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member on Education &the Workforce Committee, led a bipartisan panel discussion with business leaders, advocates and youth on barriers and the return on investment in hiring the nearly 5 million young people aged 16 to 25 and employer-led solutions to youth unemployment.
Panel: On July 19th, The New Democrat Coalition hosted a forum and panel discussion on The Future of Work. Members of the New Democrat Coalition were joined by representatives from the private sector, the non-profit sector and academia.
Field Hearing: On July 24th, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) hosted a field hearing on trade, renegotiating NAFTA and ensuring workers are protected.
Press Event: On July 25th, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05) joined Senate Democrats in calling on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage.
OP-EDS & LETTERS:
Letter: The New Democrat Coalition sent a letter to President Trump to call on him to commit to a robust federal apprenticeship program and maintain strong funding levels for these initiatives. (7/18/17)
Letter: Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member on Education & The Workforce Committee, led 115 House Democrats in a letter in support of fully funding federal programs that support the jobs, well-being and support for millions of teachers and school leaders. (7/19/17)
Op-ed: Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post – Americans deserve better than the GOP agenda, so we’re offering a better deal. The op-ed introduces Democrats’ new “Better Deal” economic agenda, which pledges to create 10 million good-paying, full-time jobs in the next five years. (7/24/17)
Op-ed: House Democratic Policy & Communications Committee Co-Chairs – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-D), Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) – wrote an op-ed in CNN – Democrats: Our plan for a better deal. The op-ed discusses how the Democrats new “A Better Deal” economic agenda works for all Americans from the perspective of their very different districts in Rhode Island, New York and Illinois. (7/24/17)
Letter: Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member on the House Education & Workforce Committee, and Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), called on Republicans – on the 8th anniversary of the last federally legislated increase to the federal minimum wage – and wrote a letter urging them to hold a full committee hearing on H.R. 15, Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. (7/25/17)