Good Jobs, Economic Opportunity, and a Level Playing Field for the Middle Class

« Back to List/ Index of Policy Areas

Policies and legislation we support, toward the goal of providing Good Jobs, Fairness, Equal Opportunity, and a more Level Playing Field for the Middle Class in America:

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which passed Congress, and was signed into law by the President on March 11, 2021: Supported by 60-75% of the American People according to recent polls, this Law provides relief to Americans, American workers, small businesses, State Governments and more, from the disasters and lasting harms suffered due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The law provides funding for agriculture and nutrition programs, schools, programs for older Americans and their families; child care relief; COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention; mental health and substance-use disorder services; emergency rental assistance, homeowner assistance, small business assistance, including specific programs for restaurants and live venues; programs for health care workers, transportation workers, veterans, and others; and help for health care providers in rural areas.

The bill also includes provisions that extend direct COVID stimulus relief payments of up to $1,400 per eligible individual; extend unemployment benefits and related services; expand the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit; provide premium assistance for certain health insurance coverage, and coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment.

According to Polls, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (sometimes referred to as the Stimulus Package) is extremely popular with the American People; 76% of all Voters back the Plan, including 60% of Republicans, 89% of Democrats, and 71% of Independents.

American Jobs Plan & Infrastructure Program: Subject to negotiation of details, we broadly support the policies and priorities laid out in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan & Build Back Better Infrastructure Program, paid for by modest tax increases on the wealthy who earn incomes of more than $400,000.00 per year and by closing tax loopholes for big corporations, some of which now pay $0 in annual taxes.

Polls indicate that this proposed American Jobs Act is supported overall by 68% of the American People, and certain specific provisions of the Act are supported by even greater majorities of up to 80% of the American People. This proposed law will help create millions of good paying American jobs for the Middle Class, revitalize manufacturing, build back our crumbling roads, bridges, transit systems, pipes, and other infrastructure throughout America, expand Broadband access, and provide support for Middle Class families. Read White House Fact Sheet on the American Jobs Plan »

According to recent polling, the American Jobs & Infrastructure Program is broadly popular and supported by 68% of the American people. See also, The Hill, recently reporting the same polling results. Other polls indicate that certain specific provisions of the Act are supported by even greater majorities of up to 80% of the American People:

In addition, the proposals to pay for the Infrastructure/ American Jobs Plan by Tax Increases on the Wealthy (making more than $400,000 per year) and increasing the Corporate tax rate, are supported by a Majority of 54% of the American People, and raising taxes on the Wealthy making more than $400,000 is supported by 57% of the American People:

We support the American Jobs Plan & Infrastructure Program because it is an example of good policy responding to the decisive will of the American People! It is paid for in a fiscally responsible manner, provides millions of good Jobs for the Middle Class, and supports and brings fairness to the Working Middle Class in America.

See other policies we advocate Supporting Rural, Small-Town & Heartland America, which also support economic fairness and well being for the Middle Class.

House Bill 1490: 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021: To amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Angie Craig [D-MN]

Legislation to implement Recommendations made by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, that Congress should give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to block acquisitions by foreign companies that receive subsidies from foreign governments, including China. In addition, as recommended by the Commission, “U.S. authorities should have the power to screen plans by Chinese-owned companies to build factories in the U.S.”
As recently reported by the Wall Street Journal, China has been aggressively side-stepping Trade Barriers by subsidizing Chinese state-owned companies to acquire Western rivals or build plants in other countries. These companies organized in other countries, but backed by the Chinese government, then aggressively engage in unfair trade tactics that drive their competitors in Europe and the U.S. out of business, ultimately hurting jobs in America and Europe.

Current U.S. law does give CIFUS (the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.) and the President authority to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States and certain real estate transactions by foreign persons, and to block any such investments that they determine would negatively impact national security of the United States. However, this review process is relatively weak, limited to “national Security” concerns, and the authority to block transactions is virtually never exercised.

We support the current recommendations of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, as summarized above, in order to help protect American manufacturers and American jobs.