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Jobs: Job One for Congress
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Putting people to work making things in America will be Democrats’ top priority when Congress returns Sept. 15, two House leaders said today. During a telephone press conference, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said House Democrats will present a series of bill in this Congress and the next to help revive manufacturing and to implement President Obama’s infrastructure rebuilding plan.
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said the Democrats want to put to rest the idea pushed by congressional Republicans that the only way to create jobs is to give tax breaks to the richest Americans.
We want to celebrate Labor Day. We want to make this a day for workers again by making products in America again. Jobs is Job One for this Congress and we’re going to continue to do this despite what the naysayers may say.
The “Make It in America” initiative is a 17-bill package designed to help manufacturers recover from the Great Recession and the loss of 5.6 million manufacturing jobs in the past decade.
The House Ways and Means Committee will hold important hearings soon on the issue of China’s manipulation of its currency. The AFL-CIO has been urging Congress to take quick, strong action to stop the unfair and illegal advantage against U.S. producers that China and other nations gain by undervaluing their currency.
The AFL-CIO is backing S. 3134, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2010, which would give our government the tools and resolve it needs to address currency manipulation.
Another major bill that may come to the floor is H.R. 5893, the Investing in American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. Introduced by Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin (D-Mich.), the bill would close loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas. The legislation would spur job creation here in the United States by extending successful Recovery Act provisions, including the Build America Bonds program to fund domestic infrastructure improvements and the Emergency Fund for Job Creation and Assistance program to help states immediately support job programs.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who joined in the conference call, told reporters “we desperately need decisive action from our leaders on both fiscal and monetary policy.”
It’s time for our leaders to show they are economic patriots. That’s what we’re looking for—economic patriotism. Leaders fighting to protect jobs, fighting unfair trade deals and putting us on a path to make things in America again. In short, to invest in America and American workers.
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5 Comments
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Oh yeah, the Democrats in Congress, (I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that after Nov.2) are gonna right the ship. Just like the public option and EFCA. What a joke. “Vote for us again, we promise we won’t pull the football away when you go to kick it this time.” I’m no teabagger or right wingnut by any means, but when do we finally stand up to these corporate Democrats. Laughable. AFL-CIO justs keeps handing money to these people. Why don’t you stop embarassing the working people by wasting our money and getting nothing but hollow words and disrespect from people like Robert Gibbs and that jerk, Rahm Emmanuel. Or perhaps you’re just like them and as long as you get yours, that’s all that counts. Stand up and fight for once. I believe it was Emiliano Zapata who said, “it is better to die on your feet, than live on your knees.” You have truly lost your soul. Everyone should check out Michael Moore’s piece called, “Happy Fu#*ing Labor Day” on MichaelMoore.com. Good night Union brothers and sisters. Keep the faith
I’m getting so tired of little boys and girls blowing off steam in public venues rather than manning or womaning up and doing something! You don’t like the AFL-CIO? Become leadership and change it! You don’t like the democrats? Organize an alternative! I’m an active member of my union local, and I’m helping to make it an even better local. What are you doing besides cussing out a website? Anything?!
I would encourage you to push as hard as you can for S3134, the Currency Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2010. So I hope you will not simply hold meetings and make promises, but mobilize your members to push Congress HARD.
I am concerned that S3134 could be obsured becuase of the others 16 bills in the package. It lacks a single-handed focus on the most critical issue.
It is questionable if infrastructure improvements would create the jobs that you claim. There is already money in the previous stimulus bill for infrastructure improvements, but the states haven’t used the money yet.
I don’t understand why you advocate raising taxes in the middle of a recession. This is extremely counterproductive.
You kinda remind me of a Fox news type. “There’s no discussion here, do as we say and like it.” Actually, I am very active in my local and my community. I am an officer of my local and I just participated in the organization and set up of our area Labor Day fest in which Richard Trumka attended. As for “manning up” (that’s so hip, by the way) maybe you should “man up” and face the truth. The Republicans keep treating Obama like a dog because he keeps doing their fetching. I believe I will try to get the I.W.W. more involved in our area. Thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to use the expression, “man up” twice. I’m hip and “with it” now. Just like you.
Class struggle, you are not alone. We are in the eye of the storm now, but before this is over, the tide will turn our way. Then the bosses will see what a revolutionary force the American working class can become. But we will fight a lot of battles between now and then, defensive battles, some of which must be lost. Workers here will have to learn to resist the bosses and their government the way the workers of Russia resisted and eventually defeated Hitler.