Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

Creating jobs, strengthening New Jersey's middle class, and stimulating the economy have been my top priorities since the serious economic downturn and throughout the recovery.

Helping to Stimulate the Economy and Encourage Job Growth:
Rebuilding America's manufacturing sector is key to improving our economy. That is why I have supported the Democratic Make It In America Agenda, in order to rebuild America's manufacturing industry and put the men and women of this nation back to work. The Make It In America Agenda is an initiative aimed at creating jobs today, driving economic recovery, and moving America forward. The Make It In America plan focuses on four core components:

Adopt and pursue a national manufacturing strategy
Promote the export of U.S. goods
Encourage businesses to bring jobs and innovation back to the United States
Train and secure a twenty-first century workforce
I support investments that will keep our nation moving in the right direction. Investment in our transportation infrastructure is vital to enhancing our economy, increasing our safety, maintaining our global competitiveness, and most importantly improving our quality of life. Our nation's infrastructure is in dire need of investment. In urban areas, such as the 8th District, transportation plays a critical role in the soundness of our economy and quality of life. I support long-term investment in our nation's transportation infrastructure and believe it is imperative that Congress works towards finding a long-term solution that addresses these needs.

Additionally, the renewable energy sector has the potential to create millions of quality American jobs throughout the next decade. In the past, I have supported policies that provide the necessary incentives to promote the renewable energy sector. Supporting initiatives that curb our nation's energy use and encourage the development of renewable energy sources not only protects the future of our planet, but is a smart way to create jobs in emerging industries.

Protecting Our Middle Class Families:
I have fought continuously to ensure that middle-class Americans are provided with the necessary financial relief during times of difficulty. As our nation's unemployment rate continues to decrease, we must preserve funding for the millions of families who temporarily rely on unemployment benefits as they seek further employment. Helping those who have lost employment through no fault of their own while they get back in the job market is a sensible way to ensure that money is moving through our economy.

Raising the minimum wage is a critical step in closing the opportunity gap and building an economy that works for everyone. By raising the minimum wage, we can restore fairness for working men and women across the country. No hard working American should be forced to raise their family in poverty, but unfortunately the current minimum wage allows for just that. I believe that an increase in the minimum wage is not only the moral thing to do, but that it would also provide a much-needed boost to our economy. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 2150, the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $12 per hour by 2020.

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