WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky,
a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in hearing before the
Committee today announced new legislation that would fight outsourcing and
improve the lives of American workers by providing incentives for corporations
to invest in the United States and to support their workforce. The Patriot
Corporations of America Act would provide tax breaks and preferences in federal
contracting for corporations that meet a number of standards, including
workplace safety, consumer protection, and environmental standards, providing
adequate benefits for their workers, and producing at least 90% of their goods
and services in the United States. Schakowsky said that the program was in the
spirit of Commerce Secretary Gutierrez’s goal of maintaining America’s
competitiveness in the global economy.
Representative Schakowsky’s remarks at today’s press conference are below, as
prepared for delivery:
As we head into the 4th of July holiday, it is appropriate that our Committee
is taking the time to talk about the American economy and American workers.
Welcome, Secretary Gutierrez.
Since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our
nation, we have benefited from the great work and contributions of countless
American patriots and the Congress and the Administration have always undertaken
efforts to honor those men and women.
Secretary Gutierrez, in February you told the Government Reform Committee, “the
Commerce Department and this Administration are committed to maintaining
America’s leadership and competitiveness in today’s dynamic global economy to
raise standards of living and create new American jobs.”
I couldn’t agree with you more. I also believe that we need to do what we can
to encourage corporations that commit to America’s economic growth and create
jobs for American workers. That is why I, along with members of this Committee,
Representatives Sherrod Brown and Solis, introduced the Patriot Corporations of
America Act yesterday.
Instead of providing corporations incentives to slash benefits, offshore their
finances, and outsource jobs, the Patriot Corporations Act would encourage
American corporations to invest in America and American workers.
In exchange for preferential treatment in government contracting and a 5% tax
rate reduction, Patriot Corporations would be asked to pledge their allegiance
to our country by producing at least 90% of their goods and doing at least 50%
of their research and development in the United States. They would limit top
managements’ compensation to no greater than 100 times that of their
lowest-compensated full-time workers. They would show their commitment to their
workers by contributing at least 5% of payroll to portable pension funds and by
paying for at least 70% of the cost of health insurance plans. Finally, Patriot
Corporations would simply be required to comply with existing federal
regulations regarding the environment, workplace safety, consumer protections
and labor relations, including maintaining neutrality in employee organizing
drives.
Secretary Gutierrez, since we are both committed to creating “the conditions for
economic growth and opportunity by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship,
competitiveness, and stewardship” (that is from your website), I hope that you
will join me today by expressing your support for the Patriot Corporations of
America Act. I also look forward to hearing from you what the Administration
has been doing to promote corporate patriotism. |