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Joint Economic Committee Democrats

Press Center

Feb 14 2018

JEC Dems Report: Retirement Security in Peril

Joint Economic Committee Democrats released today a report on the state of retirement in America. American workers are facing a crisis, the inability to retire with dignity after a life of hard work. Half of all American families near retirement have $12,000 or less in formal retirement savings. Congress should now focus on policies that broaden access to low cost, high-yield retirement savings options, strengthen Social Security, secure pension plans, and restore access to a stable and adequate retirement for an aging population.

Feb 08 2018

Public News Service - Bill Would Bump Up State Tax Credit to Help Families Pay for Child Care

Wood pointed to a recent report by Congress' Joint Economic Committee showing that improved access to affordable child care would lead to more women entering and staying in the workforce. And it could increase the national GDP by as much as $600 million annually. She added that access to high-quality early learning leads to improved health outcomes for children, and better wages as adults.

Feb 05 2018

The Denver Post - Proposed $14 million Colorado child care tax credit could benefit 40,000 families, but measure faces uncertain path

Child care costs in Colorado today are among the nation’s highest. A 2017 Democratic staff report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee found that typical infant care costs in the state — $14,950 a year — eat up nearly 19.5 percent of Colorado’s median family income — the third-most in the country, behind only California and New York.

Feb 02 2018

The Cullman Tribune – Opioids in Alabama

According to information from the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee, Alabama saw a more than six-fold increase in opioid overdose deaths between 1999 and 2015 (the most recent year for which complete records are available), rising from fewer than one death per 100,000 population to just over six per 100,000. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alabama leads the nation in opioid prescriptions and opioid over-prescription.

Feb 02 2018

CNN Money - Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan rests on some strong assumptions

Also, as a report by the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee argued, relying on private investment is risky and can cost more than direct taxpayer funding, since investors expect a healthy return. In the past, some public-private partnerships have been poorly negotiated and shut out competition that would have resulted in better pricing and improved public services, the report said.

Feb 02 2018

Heinrich Statement on January Jobs Report

In a speech marked by divisiveness and broken promises, President Trump addressed the country this week and touted a rosy picture of the economic state of our country. What the president failed to note is that many families are still struggling to get on their feet post recovery.

Jan 30 2018

JEC Dems Report: Republicans Plan Bait and Switch on Infrastructure

Ahead of the president’s State of the Union address where he is expected to focus on infrastructure, Joint Economic Committee Democrats today released a report on the administration’s plan that is anticipated to shift responsibility for infrastructure onto the private sector and cash-strapped state and local governments. Democrats agree that a major investment in upgrading and maintaining our country’s infrastructure is needed, but it is unrealistic to expect states and cities to foot the bill.

Jan 29 2018

Transportation Today - Congressional report details growing economic impact of U.S. freight rail system

Democratic lawmakers on the Joint Economic Committee made the case for investment in border infrastructure to support the nation’s rail system at 30 rail ports of entry in a new report that cited the growing economic impact of U.S. freight railroads. The volume of commerce crossing into the United States is expected to increase 41 percent by 2040, growth that will put stress on rail points of entry, according to the report that comes as Congress gears up to discuss border policies in the coming months.

Jan 26 2018

JEC Dems Report: The Growing Economic Impact of U.S. Freight Railroads

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.