Jobs & Economy

Although our economy continues to rebound, too many people are still looking for work, worrying about their mortgage and uncertain about their ability to retire. Middle-class families in Tenth District and across the country have been hit hard by the economic downturn and continue to struggle, which is why bolstering our economy is my top priority in Congress.

Key to strengthening our economy and expanding job growth is helping our small businesses succeed, improving our education system and investing in infrastructure and research and development.

Small Businesses:

As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I understand how, in an era of uncertainty in Washington, small businesses struggle to make long-term decisions, including whether or not they should hire new workers or invest in new technologies.

Still, in the last two decades, small businesses have created 60 percent of all new jobs and they are the driving force behind economic expansion and middle-class prosperity. We must work to provide both the regulatory environment and tools necessary for small businesses to thrive.

Education:

A quality education is critical to preparing our future generations to compete in a global, high-tech economy. Education should be our greatest competitive advantage. Our schools must emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs as well as broad liberal arts curricula. Additionally, we must offer simple, affordable paths for students who wish to attend college or job training, easing the crushing burden of student loan debt. Educating our children to compete in the 21st Century is one of the best ways to ensure our long-term economic growth.

Research and Development:

As we continue to look for ways to address our nation’s budget deficit, we cannot lose sight of the importance of sustained investment in research and development. American innovation changed the world and the next generation of breakthroughs in health care, energy and manufacturing will be the direct result of private ingenuity and public support. Continued investment in our infrastructure—our highways, bridges, ports and tunnels—is an investment in our future and will be critical to rebuilding our economy. 

Helping Small Businesses Grow

With a career in business, Congressman Schneider knows the ups and downs, the opportunities and challenges that business owners face. After years advising small and medium-sized businesses, helping them plan for the future and succeed, Congressman Schneider understands the importance of hearing directly from business owners, managers and employees. He started the “Brad at Your Business” initiative to learn more about companies in the community, the tools they need to succeed and how best to advocate for them. You can read more about “Brad at Your Business” here.

Startups and entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly central and important role in our economic development and will drive 21st Century success. Congressman Schneider introduced the Accelerate Our Startups Act to expand public-private efforts to help startups get off the ground and achieve success. You can read more about the Accelerate Our Startups Act here.

Congressman Schneider introduced a bipartisan measure to ensure small businesses' tax structure is addressed during tax reform.  Pass-through entities—partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations, as well as sole proprietorships—represent 90 percent of businesses, and this measure helps protect them in tax reform proposals. You can read more about Congressman Schneider’s legislation here. 

Congressman Schneider helped introduce the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act, which removes barriers for more veterans to become small business owners. The bill creates a tax credit worth 25 percent of the initial franchise fee, allowing more veterans to open franchises. You can read more about the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act here.

Congressman Schneider also cosponsored the Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development Act and the Small Business Investment Company Modernization Act to help small businesses refinance their debt in order to keep employees and to allow greater access to capital for businesses. Such legislation will grow businesses and help create jobs.

Training a 21st Century Workforce

In an increasingly technical global marketplace, having the proper skills is critical to finding quality jobs and achieving economic success. Congressman Schneider is committed to ensuring American workers have the skills they need to fill technical positions and drive 21st Century growth. Congressman Schneider introduced the AMERICA Works Act to bring educators and industry leaders together to advance skills training. You can read more about the AMERICA Works Act here.

Congressman Schneider announced a new student-employer partnership between Wheeling High School and local manufacturer Panek Precision. Congressman Schneider helped develop this partnership to provide students with practical skills training and to help manufacturers fill openings for qualified workers. You can read more about Congressman Schneider’s work with Wheeling High School’s Manufacturing and Engineering Program here.

Congressman Schneider introduced the LEARN Act to expand On-the-Job training programs. On-the-Job training programs are some of the best, most effective and proven methods of job training. These highly-successful training programs match employers with a jobseeker and split the cost of training through a public-private partnership. You can read more about the LEARN Act here.

Rebuilding our Infrastructure

The House unanimously passed an amendment offered by Congressman Schneider to help reduce the infrastructure projects backlog at the Army Corps of Engineers and get more projects underway. You can read more about Congressman Schneider’s efforts to expand infrastructure projects here.

Congressman Schneider cosponsored the Realize America’s Maritime Promise Act to increase funding for dredging projects out of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and facilitate greater commercial navigation at harbors and ports across the country, including Waukegan Harbor.

Congressman Schneider fought to preserve funding for airport contract towers like the one at Waukegan Regional Airport. These towers ensure safety and full operations at airports throughout the country. You can read more about Congressman Schneider’s support for Waukegan Regional Airport here.

Offering a Hand Up and a Push Forward

Congressman Schneider understands the importance of face-to-face interactions between jobseekers and potential employers. That is why he has hosted two jobs fairs, which have drawn nearly 1,000 jobseekers and 75 employers.

Congressman Schneider spoke out strongly against the expiration of emergency unemployment insurance. He joined nearly 50 of his colleagues urging Speaker Boehner to call an immediate vote to extend these critical benefits. You can read their letter here. He also sat down to hear the stories of several individuals whose unemployment insurance lapsed. You can read more about their discussion here.