Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy

Issue Position

Hard work should pay off. I worked my way through UNH at minimum wage jobs and on a factory floor. I'm fighting to build an economy where hard work leads to good jobs, fair pay, and a shot at the American dream.

We need to support business-friendly policies that help businesses compete in today's economy and encourage them to make their products in America. We also need to raise the minimum wage to give low-income workers more money to spend at local businesses, which will grow the economy. Fixing our public infrastructure will provide millions of jobs and make our businesses more competitive. We have to make college or tech school affordable so graduates can earn higher incomes and don't have crushing school debt. In addition, I have called for an Apollo-type program to create energy independence, which would create millions of new jobs due to the resulting technological advances in renewable energy.

While I served in Congress, I worked to keep jobs in America and bring more jobs to New Hampshire, and also to increase on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs. And I cosponsored legislation to create an infrastructure bank that would create jobs and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure.

MAKE IT IN AMERICA

Manufacturing is New Hampshire's second-biggest industry, and it's time Congress stopped giving tax breaks to businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that bring jobs back to America. As a founding member of the Congressional Make It in America Working Group and the House Trade Working Group, I worked to promote exports of U.S. products and create high-wage jobs at home.

As a member of Congress, I toured factories in Manchester, Rochester, Hooksett, Portsmouth, Laconia, Conway, Merrimack, and Londonderry. I introduced legislation to strengthen the Buy America Accountability Act of 1933, which requires the government to give preference to U.S.-made products.

INVEST IN JOB TRAINING

One effective way to create and keep jobs in New Hampshire is to invest in our workforce. That's why I helped pass New Hampshire's Advanced Manufacturing Partnership in Education (AMPEd). Initially funded by the Recovery Act (stimulus) and now by a grant from the US Department of Labor, AMPEd has allowed New Hampshire community colleges, in participation with local businesses, to train a world-class advanced manufacturing workforce.

I also cosponsored the American Jobs Act, which would prepare workers with the skills and credentials businesses need to hire and grow. But Washington Republicans refused to bring it to the floor for a vote.

CUT TAXES FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND TEACHERS

In 2013, I introduced the Reward and Encourage New Business (RENEW) Act, legislation to permanently double the tax deduction for new businesses. My bill would encourage entrepreneurs to start businesses, create jobs, and grow the economy.

I also wrote the REPAY Supplies Act in 2013, legislation that would put money back into the pockets of teachers who purchase classroom supplies. Thousands of teachers in New Hampshire dig deep each school year to provide for their students, and it's a small repayment. This was included in a bill that became law.

RAISE WAGES

Over the last 35 years, CEO pay increased 875%, accounting for inflation, while average worker pay only increased 5% (Economic Policy Institute).

Raising the wage is one of the most effective ways to jumpstart our economy and put more money into the pockets of working families. I support an increase to a $15/hour minimum wage, raised in stages. Raising the minimum wage would have broad positive impact on our economy, as 89% of those who would benefit from an increase are age 20 or older, and most are women. According to a letter by 600 economists (including 7 Nobel Prize winners), this would not cause job losses, but would in fact grow the economy as low-wage workers spent their additional money in the local economy, increasing demand and spurring job growth.

EQUAL PAY

Despite making up nearly half the U.S. workforce, women in America still make only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. In 2016, that's not only unfair, it hurts families and our economy. In 2014, New Hampshire passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, and when in office, I cosponsored the federal Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill deserves a vote in Washington, but congressional Republicans refused to bring it to the floor.

I was proud to help pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help women who had experienced wage discrimination. Now, we need to pass legislation that guarantees equal pay for equal work.

FIRE THE FAILED REPUBLICAN CONGRESS

The Republican House majority has next to nothing to show for their leadership. They've doubled down on partisan tactics, creating a culture of crisis, congressional gridlock, and, let's not forget, an exorbitantly expensive ($20-24 billion!) government shutdown.

Despite voting more than 60 times to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, Republican House leaders have blocked common sense legislation like the American Jobs Act. They have promoted an agenda that hurts working families and rewards corporations that ship jobs overseas when we should focus on creating more jobs and helping working families.

Source