Middle Class Jumpstart

Putting the middle class above the special interests.

House Republicans’ flawed priorities have stalled middle class opportunity while consistently stacking the deck for wealthy special interests. Instead of tax incentives to create good paying jobs to “Make It In America,” they give tax favors to corporations that ship jobs overseas. Instead of allowing college students to refinance staggering student debts, they protect bank profits.

Instead of passing legislation to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, they support putting bosses in charge of women’s health freedoms. They even threatened to shut down the government to stop women from accessing Planned Parenthood.

It’s time for a Congress that puts you ahead of the special interests. I am committed to bold, concrete initiatives to jumpstart the middle class and those working to get into the middle class. House Democrats have a three-pronged plan will grow the middle class with good jobs, support for women and education that is more affordable and accessible for working families:

‘MAKE IT IN AMERICA’ – BETTER JOBS AT HOME

• Republicans voted to give tax breaks to companies that ship American jobs overseas
• Democrats support the “21st Century Make It In America Act” to provide tax incentives for creating good-paying jobs here at home
• Republicans blocked legislation to make long-term investments in our nation’s aging highway system and opposed creating clean energy jobs of the future
• The “Build America Bonds Act” introduced by House Democrats will boost job growth and modernize America’s infrastructure by building roads, bridges, broadband technology and investing in clean energy initiatives – paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes
• Republicans refused to raise the minimum wage but gave massive tax giveaways to corporate special interests and the ultra-wealthy
• House Democrats have called on Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and support legislation to deny CEOs the ability to claim tax deductions for pay over $1 million unless they give their employees a raise

WHEN WOMEN SUCCEED, AMERICA SUCCEEDS

• House Republicans refused to ensure equal pay for equal work, and voted to reduce access to child care and against paid sick leave
• I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the “Paycheck Fairness Act” and the “Healthy Families Act”. Championed by House Democrats, the legislation will guarantee equal pay for equal work and paid sick leave for both men and women, while increasing access to affordable child care
• House Republicans voted to weaken domestic violence laws that protect women and voted to defund Planned Parenthood
• My Democratic colleagues and I will continue to work to strengthen the “Violence Against Women Act” and expand women’s access to comprehensive health care and family planning.

AFFORDABLE EDUCATION TO KEEP AMERICA #1

• House Republicans voted to pile more debt on the backs of students and families by preventing Americans from refinancing their student loans and by voting to cut Pell Grants
• House Democrats have introduced the  “Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act” to help Americans refinance their college loans to new, lower rates, and fought to increase access to Pell Grants for higher education
• House Republicans voted to limit access to quality early childhood education
• House Democrats support the “Strong Start for America’s Children Act” to increase access to effective early childhood learning