Jobs and the Economy

Strengthening the economy and creating jobs has been Congresswoman Kaptur’s top priority since she was first elected.

Northern Ohio’s economy has been hit particularly hard as a result of unfair trade agreements, recklessness on Wall Street, and federal policies that benefit large corporations and the wealthy instead of the middle class.

Automaking remains the backbone of our regional economy

While the numbers may show that we are no longer in a recession, the reality on the ground is quite different. There are still far too many individuals seeking work or are underemployed. Democrats and Republicans need to come together to focus on the American people’s number one priority – creating jobs.
 

CREATING AMERICAN JOBS

In addition, Congresswoman Kaptur believes in leading example. Her Congressional Made in America Promise Act (H.R. 194) would eliminate loopholes in the Buy America Act to ensure that Congress buys American made products when it procures products from the private sector. The bill also ends Buy America waivers for products that utilize an official insignia of the House, Senate, or Congress. If Congress is going to spend taxpayer dollars then it should support American workers.
 

STOPPING THE OUTSOURCING OF AMERICAN JOBS

Unbalanced trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) send American jobs overseas. Congresswoman Kaptur has consistently fought against these unfair agreements and will continue to fight against them in the future.

Beyond that, the U.S. should renegotiate trade agreements that do not give the American worker a fair chance in the global marketplace. Congresswoman Kaptur’s bill, the NAFTA Accountability Act (H.R. 191), requires the Administration to make an official assessment of the impact NAFTA has had on our economy and then renegotiate the deal if necessary.
 

STRENGTHENING AMERICAN MANUFACTURING

The U.S. has been the world’s leading in manufacturing for more than a century. Although manufacturing has declined in recent years, we are witnessing a turnaround due to a number of factors. American manufacturers have added thousands of jobs over the past three years, but we must continue to support this vitally important sector of the economy.

Why support American manufacturing? It creates more value across the economy per dollar spent than any other sector. For every $1 of goods produced, manufacturing generates an additional $1.43 for the economy and each manufacturing job creates at least 2.91 more jobs in other sectors.

Small and medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of U.S. manufacturing, comprising 84% of manufacturers, and employing 51% of the manufacturing workforce. However, often due to limited resources, many lack access to technical assistance and information needed to solves challenges and identify opportunities for growth.

Recognizing this, as Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Kaptur works each year to secure adequate funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps small and medium-sized businesses compete globally.

I also support the “Make It in America” plan of the House Democratic Caucus. It would create the conditions to help American businesses produce goods here, innovate here, and create jobs here. It includes a cross-section of legislation designed to ensure American can out-educate, out-innovate, and out-build its international competitors. Learn more about the plan here: http://www.democraticwhip.gov/content/when-we-make-it-america-america%E2%80%99s-families-will-make-it-too.

As a member of the bipartisan House Manufacturing Caucus, Congresswoman Kaptur is always looking for ways to help manufacturing remain a source of good-paying, sustainable American jobs.
 

THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

Few industries are more important to Ohio than the motor vehicle industry, or auto industry. It is responsible for one in every eight jobs in Ohio. Despite the crisis of 2008-2009, the industry has rebounded strongly.

When the crisis hit, Congresswoman Kaptur was one of the first lawmakers urging congressional action to save the American automobile industry. Now the industry is rebounding and creating thousands of jobs in the industrial heartland.

The best way to strengthen the auto industry is to support the middle class and improve our economy by supporting American manufacturing, stopping outsourcing, investing in renewable energy, and renegotiating unfair trade agreements.