Jobs and the Economy
Hardworking Americans deserve an economy that works for them. A strong economy, good jobs, and worker protections have made the United States a prosperous country and have ensured that the next generation can build better lives. One of my key priorities is the future of work in a world where technology is rapidly changing. Congress needs to prepare now for the future changes in the economy and job growth. As a co-chair of the Future of Work Task Force of the New Democrat Coalition, I work closely with other members of Congress so that we can better understand how technology will alter our economy and what it means for future generations. I want all Americans to have a place in the economy of the future, and I strongly believe it is Congress’s responsibility to understand how technology will change the ways Americans work.
You can find out more on the future of work here.
My Work on Jobs and the Economy
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Van Taylor (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Payer State Transparency Act of 2020. The legislation would require the Office of Management and Budget, in conjunction with the Council of Economic Advisors and the Treasury Department, to produce annual assessments of net economic effect on individual states of all federal spending programs, and compare these figures against a model of state tax burdens developed by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced introduction of H.R. 8512, the Designing Accounting Safeguards to Help Broaden Oversight And Regulations on Data (DASHBOARD) Act, legislation that would require data harvesting companies such as social media platforms to tell consumers and financial regulators exactly what data they are collecting from consumers and how it is being leveraged by the platform for profit.
The DASHBOARD Act will:
Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL), Congressman John Katko (R-NY), Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), and Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) introduced the bipartisan Improving Digital Identity Act of 2020.
The legislation would work to modernize the country’s lagging digital identity infrastructure with a three-pronged approach:
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on the U.S. COVID-19 death toll passing 150,000 people:
“Five months after President Trump said the coronavirus would just “disappear,” our nation marks 150,000 lives lost to COVID-19. Simply put, the President and his administration failed miserably to manage the coronavirus crisis and we are paying the price for their incompetence with the lives of our fellow citizens.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after it was reported that the U.S. COVID-19 death toll surpassed 100,000 people:
Washington, DC – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Heroes Act:
“I voted for the Heroes Act because it’s crucial that we deliver more economic relief to hard working Americans, and that we provide much needed funding for states like Illinois and communities like those in the 11th District that are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after Speaker Pelosi named him as one of the Members of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis:
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL) led a bipartisan letter to House leadership urging equitable per-capita distribution of funds to states in any future stimulus package. The CARES Act was an essential step to protect Americans and support our economy, but because the Senate incorporated a very inequitable spending formula for emergency grants to states and municipalities, the CARES Act left large-population states with fewer resources than their smaller-population counterparts. The letter was signed by 50 Members.
Washington, DC – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL), Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), and Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) led a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in support of their efforts to encourage innovation in COVID-19 testing, and urging them to rapidly deploy COVID-19 antibody tests that have met accuracy and safety standards as rapidly and widely as possible.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:
“I traveled to Washington, D.C. today to help make sure this third coronavirus response package passed, and I am glad that Congress continues to enact strong, bipartisan relief measures to help the American people in the midst of this unprecedented crisis.