Cicilline, Langevin unveil ‘Middle Class Jumpstart’

If you’d like to know what Congress could be focusing on if Democrats controlled the House, Rhode Island representatives David Cicilline and Jim Langevin will be offering up the policy priorities they will be working on next session, if reelected.

Today at 2pm at the Providence CCRI campus on Hilton St, Democrats Cicilline and Langevin will unveil what they are calling the “Middle Class Jumpstart” agenda. It’s a suite of legislation they will be looking to implement in the next session ranging from encouraging local manufacturing and affordable education to discouraging gender inequality.

“Rather than focusing on the very serious challenges facing the American people, Republicans have chosen to waste time and taxpayer money on a frivolous lawsuit against President Obama,” Cicilline said. “Americans work hard and they deserve a Congress that is working hard for them. It’s time for Congress to turn its attention to what really matters: helping middle class families and growing our economy

Langevin added, “Our Middle Class Jumpstart agenda will increase economic growth by strengthening America’s manufacturing industry, investing in our critical infrastructure, supporting equal pay for women, and making college more affordable for every student. This is our pledge to America – to fight for the middle class, put families before special interests, and reignite the American Dream for all those who work for it.”

Here’s a list of the legislation that is included in the Middle Class Jumpstart plan, courtesy of Cicilline’s office:

Middle Class Jumpstart

Within 100 days of a Democratic House Majority, Democrats will pass legislation to jump-start the middle class and those working to get into the middle class. The three-pronged plan focuses on Make It In America, When Women Succeed, America Succeeds, and affordable education.

‘MAKE IT IN AMERICA’

Democrats will introduce the “21st Century Make It In America Act” to invest in American manufacturing and provide tax incentives for creating good-paying jobs here at home. The agenda focuses on creating the best conditions for our businesses to produce, innovate, and create jobs here at home by:

· Adopting & pursuing a national manufacturing strategy

· Promoting the export of U.S. goods

· Encouraging businesses to bring American jobs and innovation back to the U.S.

· Training & securing a 21st century workforce

Republicans voted to give tax breaks to companies that ship American jobs overseas

Democrats will introduce the “21st Century Make It In America Act” to provide tax incentives for creating good-paying jobs here at home.

Republicans blocked legislation to make long-term investments in our nation’s aging highway system and opposed creating clean energy jobs of the future

House Democrats will pass the “Build America Bonds Act” to boost job growth and modernize America’s infrastructure by building roads, bridges, broadband technology and investing in clean energy initiatives – paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes

Republicans refused to raise the minimum wage but gave massive tax giveaways to corporate special interests and the ultra-wealthy

House Democrats will pass the “Fair Minimum Wage Act” and the “CEO/Employee Pay Fairness Act” to deny CEOs the ability to claim tax deductions for pay over $1 million unless they give their employees a raise

WHEN WOMEN SUCCEED, AMERICA SUCCEEDS

Democrats will pass the “Paycheck Fairness Act” to guarantee both women and men get equal pay for equal work. The bill gives employees new tools to fight unequal pay by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which has not been updated in 51 years, and protecting employees from retaliation for sharing salary information.

House Republicans refused to ensure equal pay for equal work, and voted to reduce access to child care and against paid sick leave

House Democrats will pass the “Paycheck Fairness Act” to guarantee both women and men get equal pay for equal work, pass the “Healthy Families Act” to ensure paid sick leave for men and women, and increase access to affordable child care

House Republicans voted to weaken domestic violence laws that protect women and voted to defund Planned Parenthood

House Democrats will strengthen the “Violence Against Women Act” and will expand women’s access to comprehensive health care and family planning

AFFORDABLE EDUCATION TO KEEP AMERICA #1

Democrats will pass the “Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act,” to help Americans refinance their existing college loans to new, lower rates. The bill enables borrowers to refinance their loans at lower rates similar to those available to new student loan borrowers.

House Republicans voted to pile more debt on the backs of students and families by preventing Americans from refinancing their student loans and by voting to cut Pell Grants

House Democrats will pass the “Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act” to help Americans refinance their college loans to new, lower rates, and will increase access to Pell Grants for higher education

House Republicans voted to limit access to quality early childhood education

House Democrats will pass the “Strong Start for America’s Children Act” to increase access to effective early childhood learning.