America's Workers

I firmly believe that America has the hardest working, most talented, and best educated workforce in the world. Our country has been successful because of our excellent workforce, and it will continue to thrive as a result. This is also why I am confident that, moving forward, we will maintain the highest standard of living in the world. Throughout my career, I have consistently fought to safeguard critical worker rights to protect our strong workforce. 

The ability to organize and collectively bargain for benefits was one of the most important advances in American labor law and has been a major contributor to our historically robust middle class.  As the son of a union baggage handler at SeaTac airport, I understand how important labor unions are in the lives of American workers and their families, and I have consistently supported workers’ rights during my time in Congress.  I will continue to support legislation that protects living wage jobs, lowers health care costs, and ensures that Americans out of work have a safety net while giving them the tools they need to get back on their feet. 

I also support minimum wage requirements established by state and federal governments.  A minimum wage was first established to ensure a thriving middle-class by guaranteeing a certain level of income security for all working Americans.  Because federal minimum wage requirements were not indexed to inflation or tied to cost-of-living when first established, the value of the minimum wage has been declining since the mid-1960s. I support Congressional proposals and the President’s executive action on federal contractor pay and legislation to raise the national minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. 

Another important component of ensuring that our workforce receives the support it needs is through unemployment insurance.  Enhanced unemployment benefits are necessary particularly as our economy is still recovering and I have voted for the full extension of such benefits.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the millions of unemployed are provided a secure safety net as we strive to get them back to work.

I understand and strongly empathize with the financial challenges that many Americans face.  I am working hard in Congress to support policies that will help to get our economy back on track and create good-paying jobs here in America.  I take the need for economic stability and jobs creation very seriously, and I will continue to advocate that Congress act strategically and in a fiscally sound manner as our nation continues its economic recovery.  I fully understand that my job is not complete until millions of Americans are back at work.

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