Joint Economic Committee Democrats today released a report on the growing economic impact of United States freight railroads. The volume of commerce crossing our borders has more than tripled in the last 25 years and U.S. freight shipments are expected to increase by 41 percent by 2040, placing a growing demand on America’s freight rail system and the 30 rail ports of entry (POEs) along our borders. As Congress considers border policies and solutions in the coming months, investment in border infrastructure to ensure our rail POEs can operate at full capacity should be an important part of the conversation.
Democratic commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mignon L. Clyburn welcomed the decision not to change the definition of broadband, but rejected the conclusion that that broadband is being "reasonably and timely deployed." "This is especially tragic when according to the Senate Joint Economic Committee, there are twelve million kids that are caught in the Homework Gap because they lack Internet service at home," Rosenworcel said in a statement. "We should be reaching for faster speeds and universal access. Anything less than that, shortchanges our children and our future."
The study, issued by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, explores a part of the jobs-and-education landscape that's risen sharply on the public's radar in the last few years: the vast array of jobs that require more than a high school diploma and less than a bachelor's degree. Those "middle-skill" jobs account for 48 percent of U.S. employment, according to researchers.
Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a report today that highlights the need to invest in proven middle-skills pathways. Much of the emphasis on postsecondary education focuses on four-year bachelor’s degree programs, but middle-skills pathways can provide the training and education required to prepare people for promising careers.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, remarked in a statement, “Despite inheriting a strong and resilient economy, the president and Republicans in Congress decided to do absolutely nothing to improve the lives of working Americans in 2017.”
Jan 05 2018
Heinrich Statement on December Jobs Report
“Despite inheriting a strong and resilient economy, the President and Republicans in Congress decided to do absolutely nothing to improve the lives of working Americans in 2017. Real wages only grew by 0.2 percent last year from the election through November. Almost one in five children currently live in poverty, and yet Republicans have failed to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Nearly 800,000 young people who contribute to our economy have their immigration status hanging in the balance because Republicans refuse to bring the DREAM Act to a vote.
The universal preschool movement hit peak momentum under the Obama administration but has been virtually unaddressed by President Donald Trump. Instead, Trump’s daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump has dabbled with policies aimed at tackling child care costs. A report by Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee in Congress this year indicated that less than half of the nation’s 3- and 4-year-olds were in a pre-K program, ranging from 75 percent in Washington, D.C., to just 30 percent in Idaho. The programs vary in quality and structure, with some offering just a few hours a week of learning sessions and others that are more similar to a full school day.
Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a report today highlighting how the partisan agenda pushed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans has made 2017 a difficult year for working Americans. The report also details how nearly one year into the Trump presidency, Republicans have failed to take any action to address the nation’s most urgent needs, such as infrastructure and the opioid crisis, despite repeated promises.
Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee — led by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) — are releasing a report detailing Republicans' "worst" of their first year under a unified GOP government. "This year was marked by complete failure by Republicans in Congress to help the working Americans who need it the most. Instead, Republicans and the Trump administration have made partisan moves to endanger the economic security of families across this country," Heinrich said.
Today Republicans have made it clear where their priorities stand. They’ve abandoned working American families while recklessly blowing up the deficit in order to reward their wealthy friends and corporations with a tax cut that they do not need. When this legislation is fully implemented, millions of middle-class families will face a tax increase.