Creating Good Jobs
Our economy is recovering from the Great Recession, but there is still considerable work to be done. Too many Americans can't find jobs or are working part-time or for lower pay than before the economic crisis. Too many Americans who are working have seen their hours shortened or their benefits cut back. Too many feel that their part of the American Dream – to provide for their families with a solid paycheck, own a home, send their kids to college, retire with dignity – is slipping away. I will not accept that as the new status quo, the "new normal", and I have proposed ideas on how to create good jobs and get the economy moving again.
Creating good jobs will help improve our entire economy in many ways. What the economy needs is more confident consumers -- workers with steady incomes are more likely to buy goods in local stores, go out to eat a meal or even go on a vacation – and that creates more jobs. In addition, putting people back to work will bring down the deficit, as more workers are paying taxes and fewer families are dependent on unemployment insurance and food stamps.
It is also critical that when we create jobs we also support the workers who fill them. I am a strong supporter of unions and the labor movement and the right to collectively bargain.
More on Creating Good Jobs
Last week, House Republicans continued to push forth their agenda that will harm everyday Americans. The Republican Study Committee, which is composed of over 170 House Republicans, put forward their plan to strip away the Social Security benefits that Americans have worked so hard to earn. This is theft and we cannot stand for it; Americans deserve to retire with dignity and respect.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip, Senior Budget Committee Member, and Executive Board Member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023:
Workers deserve a fair wage and workplace protections, period. We are the richest country in the world at the richest time in history, there is no reason all workers should not have a living wage.
In just his first two years in office, President Biden has created over 12 million jobs, lowered prescription drug costs for seniors, invested in our climate, and so much more. At 3.4%, the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in over 50 years. We are bringing strong, good-paying union jobs back to America. Last week’s State of the Union proved that our best days are yet to come.
On Friday, I voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding legislation. This monumental funding package will have major implications for generations to come.
As you may have heard, Kroger, which owns Mariano's, announced plans to purchase Albertsons, which owns Jewel. This could have major implications for grocery prices in our community. Kroger posted record earnings during the pandemic, including $132 billion in 2020. At the same time, Kroger decreased worker pay by 8.1%. This merger would lead to less competition, even higher grocery prices, and layoffs for employees. We must put American families first. I am proud to join Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in calling on the FTC to block this deal.
When Republicans promise to take away basic freedoms, we must believe them. Last week, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced legislation that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, nationwide. Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) introduced a bill which would give pharmacists freer rein to refuse to provide medication they suspect could be used to terminate a pregnancy. While these bills are not likely to pass, we can see my colleagues' intentions.
EVANSTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement commemorating Labor Day: