Labor, Wages and Employee Protections

American workers are the engines that will drive us out of these economic challenges. We must protect and create jobs, guarantee fair wages and promote positive work environments.
- Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger

Congressman Ruppersberger fights to ensure workers have the basic tools they need to provide for themselves and their families:

  • Consistently signs on to the “Employee Free Choice Act” to create a more efficient and fair process for employees to form or join a union if they choose
  • Supported the landmark “Paycheck Fairness Act” and “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” to equalize pay for women and provide stronger remedies for discrimination
  • Cosponsors the “Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2009,” which updates the child care tax credit for the first time in 25 years and creates incentives for businesses that have a qualified child care center in their facility
  • Voted to increase the federal minimum wage to $7.25 for the first time in nine years, which took effect in July 2009

Congressman Ruppersberger appreciates the dedicated work of public servants and believes they are entitled to comparative protections:

  • Cosponsors the “Paid Parental Leave Act,” which requires that four of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to federal employees be paid
  • Supported the “Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act” to expand the types of whistleblower disclosures that are protected from reprisal

Congressman Ruppersberger fights to attract and keep jobs in Maryland’s 2nd District:

  • Voted for the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” to create more than 500,000 jobs by the end of 2009, including 22,000 in Maryland
  • Voted for the “Auto Industry Financing & Restructuring Act” and supports the “Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act” to protect more than 2,500 jobs associated with Chrysler, General Motors and car dealers across thestate
  • Campaigns on behalf of small businesses and private contractors to be awarded government contracts in the district, including at the National Security Agency, the Port of Baltimore, University of Maryland and other major institutions