Schakowsky, Sen. Brown, House Democrats, Unions Introduce Legislation To Reward "Patriot Employers"

SCHAKOWSKY, SEN. BROWN, HOUSE DEMOCRATS, UNIONS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REWARD "PATRIOT EMPLOYERS"

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Representatives Phil Hare (D-IL), Betty Sutton (D-OH), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Steve Kagen (D-WI), Danny Davis (D-IL) and Hilda Solis (D-CA) today introduced legislation to reward companies that invest in American jobs, pay decent wages, provide good benefits, and support their employees when they are called to active duty. The Patriot Corporations of America Act would provide a tax break to companies that make a commitment to American workers. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barack Obama (D-IL), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced companion legislation in the Senate today.

"The Patriot Corporation Act would reward companies that invest in our nation and its workers,... said Congresswoman Schakowsky (D-IL). "Americans have had enough of businesses offshoring jobs and skirting the law to increase their bottom line. We must stop rewarding outsourcers and tax dodgers, and make corporations earn their tax incentives by investing in America and American workers. Our bill will create a new patriotic corporate ethic in America that unites workers and their employers in the mutual goal of building a stronger, more prosperous democratic business sector to compete in the twenty-first century global economy....

"For far too long, our government has betrayed the middle class while giving tax breaks to billionaires and multinational corporations that ship jobs overseas,... Senator Brown (D-OH) said. "Instead we should reward patriot companies that are loyal to workers and advance jobs....

"When companies make headlines today it is often for all the wrong reasons: fraud, tax avoidance and profiteering,... Senator Durbin (D-IL) said. "Americans have had enough with a corporate culture that rewards bad behavior and ignores the well being of workers. It is time for Patriot Employers to be recognized for doing right by their workers even while they do well for their customers and shareholders....

"Instead of providing incentives for employers to outsource and move their headquarters overseas, we should encourage corporations to be patriot employers that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers,... said Senator Obama (D-IL). "Patriot employers help maintain American competitiveness in the global marketplace, while keeping our workforce and our middle class strong....