Majority Leader Reid's Economic Recovery Proposals For America's Middle Class

Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered a series of proposals to get Main Street back on its feet. Americans all across the country are watching the value of their homes plummet, their wages stagnate and their cost of living continue to rise, Senator Reid’s proposals address these and other issues. Below are some of Senator Reid’s economic recovery proposals for America’s middle class.  

Posted: 10/15/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Senate Democrats Discuss Eight Years Of Failed Bush-McCain Economic Policies

As the financial markets crumble, Senate Democrats continue to emphasize the need for strong leadership and decisive action while out-of-touch Bush-McCain Republicans seek more of the same failed policies that got us into this mess in the first place. Today Senators Barbara Boxer, Debbie Stabenow and Bob Menendez took to the Senate Floor to discuss how the turmoil on Wall Street is a direct legacy of Bush-McCain economic policies that have failed this nation for eight years. 

Posted: 09/16/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Fair Pay Act Is Vital to Ensuring Women Receive Equal Pay

Pay discrimination continues to be a very real problem for workers throughout our society. Women make only 77 cents for every dollar made by men, while African-Americans and Hispanics make 18 and 28 percent less than whites respectively. Women have been especially hard hit by the recent economic downturn, and must have protection against pay discrimination. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act restores the law to its original intent, helping to ensure that women earn equal pay for equal work. Senate Republicans are standing in the way of this crucial legislation to help all Americans achieve economic equality.

Posted: 04/23/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Fact Check: Senator McConnell Misrepresents Senate Fair Pay Bill

Today, Senator Mitch McConnell claimed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would ‘dramatically’ increase the amount of new litigation in the country. However, that claim is contradicted by the Congressional Budget Office, which found that the bill would “not significantly affect the number of filings with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”

Posted: 04/22/08 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Democrats Keep Their Promise to Working Americans by Raising the Minimum Wage

In May, Democrats delivered on their promise to raise the minimum wage for millions of American workers.  The first installment of that raise goes into effect today, July 24, 2007.  Since the last increase in the minimum wage in 1997, prices for basic needs, from food to gasoline to child care have skyrocketed. By fighting for and passing this minimum wage increase, Democrats have helped millions of Americans immediately earn an extra $1,500 per year and eventually an additional $4,400 per year when the full $2.10 increase is realized. 

Posted: 07/24/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Myth vs. Reality: The REALITY is the Employee Free Choice Act Helps American Workers and their Families

In November 2006, Americans elected Democrats to take the country in a new direction, in part because we pledged to seek better jobs and better pay for working Americans.   Six months into the 110th Congress, Democrats are delivering on that promise.  In May, after a ten year battle, Congress gave lower-income workers a long overdue raise by increasing the federal minimum wage to $7.25/hour, benefiting millions of workers and their families.  Though a major victory for the American people, there is much more work to be done.

Posted: 06/26/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Senate Moving Forward On Employee Free Choice Act

The Senate is preparing to take up the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) this week. EFCA creates an easier path for workers to receive union representation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is speaking this afternoon at an Employee Free Choice Rally in support of legislation.

Posted: 06/19/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Summary Of The Employment Free Choice Act

The Senate is preparing to take up the Employee Free Choice Act with a possible vote on Thursday. Click on read more for a smmary of the legislation that will allow workers to choose a union free from employer coercion. 

Posted: 06/19/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

After a Ten Year Battle, Democrats Raise the Minimum Wage for American Workers

Last year, Americans voted to take the country in a much-needed new direction by electing Democrats to lead Congress.  Democrats promised to seek better pay for working Americans, starting by raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25/hour.  In May, after a decade-long battle, Congress, under Democratic leadership, accomplished that important goal.  While the Senate passed H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 earlier in the year, the wage was finally increased as part of P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (2007 Emergency Supplemental).  

Posted: 06/04/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink

Middle-Class Life Under Bush: Less Affordable and Less Secure

For millions of hard-working, middle-class families, life under the Bush presidency has grown less affordable and less secure. President Bush's record of fiscal incompetence and mismanagement, and Republicans' close ties with special interests, have helped lead to both lower wages on the one hand and skyrocketing costs for basic necessities like gas, health care, and college tuition on the other. Unfortunately, instead of producing solutions to the problems facing the middle class, Bush Republicans have ignored them and pushed for policies that would make matters even worse.

Posted: 05/07/07 by SDCC Staff | Permalink