Issue Position: Labor

Issue Position

"Keeping our families and economy strong begins with providing our workers with a safe and healthy workplace, opportunities to enhance their skills, and a guarantee of basic rights on the job. That is why throughout my time in the U.S. Senate I have stood up for the needs of working families in Washington state and across the nation. As Chairman of the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I have taken the lead on building a more skilled workforce, protecting workers on the job, and ensuring equal pay, while guaranteeing the rights of both workers and businesses."

My Priorities

Equip workers with the skills they need to stay competitive in the global economy

Ensure safe and healthy workplaces for every worker

Fight for fair and livable wages

Protect workers' right to organize

Improve working families' ability to balance the demands of work and life

Work to ensure trade agreements protect America's jobs and the middle class

My Accomplishments

Introduced the Protecting America's Workers Act to update the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful work environments for America's workers.

Worked to ensure our workforce is prepared for the 21st century by strengthening the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and furthering a Career Pathways initiative
Helped pass the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act as an original co-sponsor. President Obama signed this legislation--his first bill signed into law--on January 29, 2009
Helped pass the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act in the 111th Congress as the original sponsor to ensure family medical paid leave for pilots and flight crews--this bill was signed into law in December 2009

Introduced legislation to invest in summer employment for youth

Passed legislation in the Senate to ban the manufacturing and importation of products that contain asbestos.

Helped pass the first increase in the minimum wage in a decade

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