Dear Neighbors,
Tuesday was Equal Pay Day, and I joined with my women colleagues at a press conference to call for equal pay for equal work. I know that my neighbors believe that our daughters deserve better. Pay discrimination doesn't just hurt women -- it hurts working families throughout the Eighth District. According to the Census Bureau, on average, American women still make 77 cents on the dollar, as compared to their male counterparts. That's unacceptable.
I also participated in an Oversight and Government Reform committee hearing on social security disability. I asked a question about ensuring effectiveness and full funding of fraud and waste prevention efforts at the Social Security Administration in order to ensure this critical program continues to be available for Americans with disabilities.
This week, I voted against the Ryan Budget plan because it did not build on the budget compromise of last year and move our nation forward. At a time when budgetary constraint is needed, the Ryan budget would raise the deficit with tax cuts that will favor large corporations and the wealthy. It takes 170,000 children out of head start and cuts the jobs of nearly 30,000 educators. It eliminates $137 billion over ten years for critical food assistance to those who are most in need. We need to enact a budget that makes smart, targeted spending cuts and raises revenue from ending tax breaks for millionaires and special interests.
In addition, I spoke at the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) Symposium and discussed the importance of ensuring that Veterans in small towns and rural America have the resources they need to succeed after their service. The HAC is a nonprofit that helps build homes and looks at the housing needs of Veterans.
I then spoke to small business owners who belong to the National Association of Surface Finishers. The President of this organization and owner of the company SWD, Rick Delawder, is from Addison, Illinois. We discussed how important it is to make sure our tax code and regulations favor small businesses. Manufacturers like SWD are crucial to the future success of our economy.
I will be back in the District next week for District Work Period. I look forward to spending time with my neighbors.
Sincerely,
Congresswoman Duckworth