Kaptur Outlines Jobs and Economic Growth as Top Priorities as 114th Congress Takes Oath
Statement from Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) On the Occasion of the Swearing-In of the 114th Congress of the United States
Washington, DC – Today’s pleasant dusting of snow on the Capitol reminds us that new beginnings offer hope of new luster and possibility.
With the opening of a new Congress, and as the U.S. economy continues to make progress, we know well that too many Americans remain unemployed, under-employed, or working multiple jobs to just make ends barely meet. We know that the American public wants a Congress committed to progress in growing our economy and insuring good-paying jobs for everyone.
For families and workers in Ohio’s 9th district, meeting the realities of rising costs for education, child care, food, housing and other daily necessities is increasingly difficult with stagnant wages that have plagued our middle-class for a decade. Without growing consumer confidence and better incomes that support economic growth, we cannot expect to yield a robust middle class.
The road to American economic might can be pursued by a spectrum of policies that support a growing economy, starting with passage of legislation to modernize our transportation and infrastructure. We can build on our precious natural resources, promote educational attainment and skills development at all levels, and ensure that another generation of young Americans doesn’t start its productive lives saddled by skyrocketing student loan debt.
The new Congress must also focus on the health of our environment. In August of 2014, astoundingly, 500,000 residents of Ohio and Michigan had no access to clean drinking water for three days. We must ensure that the resources are available to make sure that our most precious, vital, and abundant sustainable resource is protected. We must work together to find solutions that will protect our citizens, our environment, and our economy.
I will continue to fight, as I have throughout my career, to ensure that our trade agreements work for America and her workers, not job-outsourcers. This Congress will have a long lasting impact on the future direction of our economy and the future of every working class and middle class American family. Every trade agreement the United States has signed in the last thirty years has ultimately resulted in fewer jobs for American workers and huge trade deficits for our nation. From coast to coast, good paying jobs have left our shores for countries that do not have the protections ensured to the American worker. First and foremost, our trade agreements must mean more American jobs, not fewer. If we were truly opening up markets, then workers in the United States would be benefiting from the opportunity these agreements purportedly create. Clearly they are not.
I look forward to advancing our national discussion on reforming immigration in the United States. Fixing our broken immigration system will mean justice to people who contribute to the American way of life but are forced into the shadows, because the labor and regular enforcement system is breaking down. We can make it harder for drug cartels and labor traffickers to cross the border and easier for families to remain intact with reasoned discussion and a logical, legal process that respects workers and families.
America must become energy independent again. We are making progress on exploring and developing creative energy solutions to modernize our options. Lowering energy costs, in some sectors, while also lifting thousands into the middle class by offering well-paid employment opportunities. Agriculture remains Ohio’s most productive sector. I am hopeful that we can continue to further advance agricultural options that provide economic opportunity and employment, including increased healthy nutrition options for underserved communities, both urban and rural. This is no time to scale back our commitment to a healthy, domestically sourced food supply that creates jobs and income in America.
I hold a particular commitment to reform, modernize, and provide resources and treatment to our mentally ill to help them lead more rewarding lives. Let us break the cycle of untreated illness and arrest that far too many fall into. All too often, our local jails become treatment facilities; most are not prepared to take on this responsibility. Innovative solutions will assure these citizens find mental health services, not jail cells and homelessness.
I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we are re-building an economy that is strong and built to last by investing in our youth, our infrastructure, and our outstanding workforce; so that America’s full promise can be realized.