Thoughts on Labor Day

Statement

Every year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the ingenuity and perseverance of our working men and women. Their hard work built America's middle class and continues to ensure that we have the most dynamic and competitive economy on earth.

While American workers devote so much of themselves to our country, it's also important that government is their safeguard. That's why I support raising the minimum wage to $10.74 and indexing it to inflation thereafter -- what it would be if it had kept up with inflation over the past 40 years.

Today, I also want to congratulate California for taking a momentous step toward being the second state to guarantee its residents paid sick leave. I've long been in support of implementing mandatory paid sick days, and on Saturday morning, the California Senate passed a bill that guarantees at least three paid sick days per year to our state's 6.5 million workers. If signed by Governor Brown, the bill will have a huge impact on working men and women -- currently, about 44% of our workers don't have access to even one day off if they or a family member is sick.

These are common sense policies that benefit our workers while growing our economy. A minimum wage that raises the quality of life for all workers and their families is essential here in the 17th District, where the cost of living is particularly high. It will also help to boost consumer spending and grow our businesses. And research shows that paid sick leave actually saves money, while helping workers and their families toward better health. Adults without access to paid sick days are 1.5 times more likely to go to work with a contagious illness, which costs our economy $160 billion each year in decreased productivity.

As a member of Congress, I will work tirelessly to pass forward-looking policies that support our workers and strengthen the middle class.

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