Issues: Nebraska’s Working Families

Photo of Senator Ben Nelson and his wife. Nebraska prides itself on its history of strong people and hard work. From the Homesteaders to the pioneers to the current working families, Nebraskans have worked hard to contribute to the growth of the nation geographically and economically.

That is why Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson has pushed legislation to increase investment to create more good-paying jobs, while supporting efforts to assist working families. He has frequently supported extending unemployment compensation for those who could not find jobs during periods of high unemployment and limited economic opportunity. He also supports increasing the minimum wage and protecting programs to provide additional job training to workers who lose their job because of a poor economy or as a result of foreign trade.

Because of the contribution of generations of workers have made to the power and prosperity of this country, Senator Nelson believes it is imperative that Congress keep the concerns of works in mind as it makes public policy.

Working for Nebraska’s Working Families

In 2007, Congress passed legislation to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in 10 years. Over the next two years that wage will continue to rise, ultimately reaching $7.25. This is a significant step forward and 61,000 Nebraskans will benefit from this increase. For more than ten years, the minimum wage was static, even as costs of living rose dramatically. It was critical that Washington increase the minimum wage to ensure that working families were able to keep up. Senator Nelson supported this legislation because he believes that anyone who works for a living should not be forced to live in poverty.

Senator Nelson also supports overtime protection for workers. He has voted twice to prohibit the implementation of U.S. Department of Labor rules that would take overtime protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act away from thousands, and possibly millions of American workers. Senator Nelson wants to protect overtime pay for workers, like first responders and other emergency workers, who depend on that extra pay to make ends meet.

Senator Nelson supports extending unemployment benefits for workers who are out of work and cannot find jobs. Senator Nelson believes people should not be punished for being unable to find jobs when none are available.

Senator Nelson supports the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and has consistently supported funding for additional training for workers who have lost their jobs due to recession or outsourcing.

Senator Nelson supports Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which provides extended unemployment benefits and job training for those who are left jobless by the impact of foreign trade.

Senator Nelson has supported rights for workers. When Congress was considering legislation to create the Department of Homeland Security in 2002, Senator Nelson worked to forge a compromise that gave the President the flexibility on personnel matters to meet our national security needs while still providing workers with workplace protections they deserve.

Senator Nelson has voted repeatedly to protect federal funding for local first responders, such as firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Senator Nelson cosponsored and championed the Railroad Retirement and Survivors’ Improvement Act of 2001, which protects pension and retirement benefits for railroad workers across America.

Updated: 1.29.08