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Joint Economic Committee Democrats

Reports & Issue Briefs

Apr 25 2017

The Unnecessary Costs of a Government Shutdown

Government funding runs out on April 28th. Without an agreement to fund the government by then, the federal government will shut down, disrupting economic growth, increasing uncertainty for businesses and people who rely on public services or are awaiting a tax refund, and potentially triggering job losses across the economy–just as the nation experienced during the October 2013 shutdown.

Apr 20 2017

Economic Impact of Understaffing U.S. Ports of Entry

This report focuses on POE staffing. While estimates vary on the exact cost of border delays to the U.S. economy, research indicates a clear link between additional POE staff, reduced wait times, and economic benefits. Staffing an additional one to three booths or lanes can reduce maximum wait times by up to 25 minutes at some of the busiest POEs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) estimates an additional 1,000 POE officers would increase economic activity by $2 billion and add 33,148 new U.S. jobs per year.

Apr 11 2017

Key Consumer Protection Accomplishments

For nearly six years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has held financial companies accountable and protected consumers from unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent practices, returning billions of dollars to millions of consumers, including students and service members.

Apr 03 2017

#Real News: Women Still Earn Less Than Men

Equal Pay Day marks how far into the new year a woman would have to work to earn what a man earned the previous year. The 20 percent gap in earnings between women and men is due to complex factors, including differences in years of work experience, variation in occupation and industry, and discrimination.

Mar 31 2017

January Economic Snapshot of the States

This monthly report provides a snapshot of the status of the economic recovery in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This month’s snapshots include state-level data on jobs, unemployment and earnings through December 2016.

Mar 28 2017

America Last: President Trump Abandons Tomorrow’s Economy

President Trump’s so-called “America First” budget actually puts millions of Americans last. Calling for a $54 billion increase in defense spending and a corresponding $54 billion cut for non-defense domestic agencies and programs in FY2018, this “America Last” budget cuts or entirely eliminates critical investments in infrastructure, science and technological research, community development in rural and metropolitan communities, clean air and water, and the health and education of American families.

Mar 28 2017

TrumpCare Leaves People with Mental Illnesses in the Shadows

Many individuals struggling with mental illnesses have only recently begun to access the care they need, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The Medicaid expansion and requirement that mental health be covered as an Essential Health Benefit meant that people could finally get treatment for themselves and their families.

Mar 27 2017

Rural Americans Would Lose Under Trumpcare

America’s rural communities have long faced challenges with access to affordable health care insurance and services. Doctors and hospitals are farther away, higher poverty rates lead to worse health outcomes and lower coverage rates, and older populations result in more expensive coverage pools.