OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Ellison, Grijalva Statement on State of the Union

Statement

Date: Jan. 28, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action Economy and Fiscal

Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement ahead of President Obama's fifth State of the Union.

"Tonight President Obama will present an economic agenda to help make our economy work for the whole country, not just the well-connected and powerful. That's been a Progressive Caucus theme for many years and we're proud to lead the fight in Congress to increase economic opportunity for working Americans.

"The president will take an important step toward creating economic security for working families tonight when he announces an executive order raising the pay of federal contract workers. The CPC has been advocating for federal action on this issue over the last year. Contractors and other working people have gone on strike all over the country to demand the living wage they deserve. We're glad the president is following through, and we believe Congress should follow his lead by raising the federal minimum wage for all Americans.

"The people we represent have one powerful thing in common: they've played by the rules. They've gone to work, taken their children to school, cared for their loved ones and paid their taxes. What did they get in return? A few got ahead, but too many have fallen behind through no fault of their own.

"That's why the Progressive Caucus will focus this year on improving financial opportunity and security for working families. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with workers striking across the country to end wage theft and demand a fair day's pay for a fair day's labor. Our budget will create jobs and curb climate change pollution. We will stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership or any other trade deal before it ships more American jobs overseas. We will fight for a fairer tax structure and more access to health care and education regardless of income.

"The president's State of the Union provides hope for working families. The spotlight is finally, and very rightly, on them. It will take more than one policy solution to fix our broken economy. Focusing our organizing efforts to improve opportunity and security for working families is a good start.

"Let's make 2014 the year the economy turned around for American workers."


Source
arrow_upward