Economy and Jobs

                                                                                                                                        - Congresswoman Barbara Lee

In the last year alone our economy has lost over 1.2 million private sector jobs, and millions more are now in jeopardy due to the reckless economic policies of the Bush Administration. As the economic crisis widens, State budget deficits are growing, access to capital has shrunk and many business are facing potential collapse. These widespread economic problems have only served to reinforce the growing inequality between rich and poor as CEO’s have been rewarded with high priced golden parachutes even as their companies disintegrate due to mismanagement and their employees are laid off.  In fact, over the last eight years the wealthiest segment of our society has enjoyed substantial growth in wealth and income even as most individuals have seen their income levels stagnate.

Congresswoman Lee is committed to promoting economic growth and supporting those who need it most. She supports tax cuts for middle and low income families. She has fought for extended unemployment assistance for the long-term unemployed. She has pushed for aid to state governments that have been burdened with rising Medicare costs and expensive federal mandates even as their revenues have plunged. Finally, she has worked to secure investment in housing, transit systems, roads, clean water, and schools to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

As a member of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, Congresswoman Lee has been instrumental in:

•    Expanding Access to Job Training and Employment Services: Congresswoman Lee helped craft the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) LHHSED Appropriations bill which provides $3 billion for Workforce Investment Act job training programs, $1.7 billion for Job Corps training programs targeted to young adults, $703 million for state grants to help connect 13 million jobseekers and employers, $240 million for veterans employment programs, and $25 million for a new green jobs training program.

Sponsored Legislation (110th Congress)

•    H.R. 1050: A Living Wage, Jobs for All Act – Establishes a living wage, jobs for all policy for all peoples in the United States and its territories, including basic economic rights and responsibilities such as: (1) decent jobs, income security for individuals unable to work for pay, a decent living for farm families, freedom from monopolies, decent housing, adequate health services, Social Security in old age, sickness, accidental injury, and unemployment, and education and work training; and (2) rights relating to collective bargaining, a safe working environment, information on trends about pollution sources and products and processes that affect the well-being of workers, voting, campaigning, and personal security.

 
Co-Sponsored Legislation (110th Congress)

•    H.R. 800: Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 – Amends the National Labor Relations Act to establish an efficient system to enable employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, and provides for mandatory injunctions for unfair labor practices during organizing efforts.

For more information contact the Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee at 202-225-2661 or send a message from my email gateway at lee.house.gov