Jobs and the Economy
The great recession left millions of Americans unemployed and millions more struggling to support their families. Although we’ve made progress, it is clear that we still have work to do. Moreover longer-term changes, brought by globalization and technology, have drastically changed our economy in the last three decades. With that in mind, competitiveness – how we can position our businesses and workers to compete on a global market – is the lens through which I analyze economic policy.
As the only former CEO of a publicly traded company currently serving in Congress, I understand that we need a vibrant private sector to create long-term job growth and a strong middle class. I support policies that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and a better climate for business.
There is also a role for government in making our country more competitive. Around the globe the healthiest economies are those where the public and private sector work together. My competitiveness agenda has five key components: 1) investing in a world-class education and research system for our workers, 2) developing a national energy policy that encourages domestic energy production with a goal towards becoming an alternative energy leader, 3) immigration reform so that the best and brightest can work for our companies, 4) infrastructure investment to rebuild our roads and bridges, and 5) a grand bargain budget deal to get our fiscal house in order.
In May I introduced the first major component of my competitiveness agenda, the Partnership to Build America Act (H.R. 2084). My legislation would finance up to $750 billion in infrastructure investment at no cost to the taxpayer, instead bonds would be sold to the private sector. With strong support from Republicans and Democrats, it represents the bipartisan approach to job creation that I believe is essential. For more information on the Partnership to Build America Act, click here.
More on Jobs and the Economy
HAGERSTOWN – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) toured downtown Boonsboro with Mayor Skip Kauffman and spoke with constituents in Hagerstown Friday. In Boonsboro, Delaney joined Mayor Kauffman and members of the Town Council in visiting the Inn at BoonsBoro, Fit in Boonsboro, Turn the Page Bookstore, and the First Hose Company of Boonsboro.
At the fire station, Delaney met with Chief Oley Griffith and Vice President Ed Williams. Delaney’s office helped the fire department secure 501(c)(3) status, allowing them to receive a donation from Boonsboro native Nora Roberts.
WASHINGTON – Wednesday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4 percent in the second quarter of 2014.
To read their report, click here.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6), the only former CEO of a publicly traded company in Congress releases the following statement:
This Thursday is the 5th anniversary of the last increase to the federal minimum wage, marking a half-decade since our nation’s poorest workers received a raise. Last fixed at $7.25 in 2009, the minimum wage has since dropped in terms of real earnings due to inflation, losing nearly ten percent of its value over the last five years. While today’s fulltime employees face a tough job market and an increasingly global economy, no American worker should ever have to overcome a salary that leaves their family below the poverty line.
A provision to help prevent the Highway Trust Fund from running a deficit has been added to a bill sponsored by Congressman John Delaney (D-Md), the Partnership to Build America Act.
The legislation would set up a infrastructure fund which would lend out money to states, counties and municipalities for repairs to roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, education and communications.
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) announces his intention to introduce legislation this fall that would provide funding for a long-term highway bill at increased levels of investment. The Delaney bill will provide additional transportation revenue through international tax reform and provide a long-term solution to funding the Highway Trust Fund. Yesterday, the House passed the Highway and Transportation Funding Act (H.R. 5021), which extends authorization for the Surface Transportation programs (MAP-21) until May 31 and patches the Highway Trust Fund only through May.
On July 10 Congressman John Delaney discussed his bipartisan infrastructure bill with Yahoo Finance.
You can watch the interview here.
Here's an excerpt:
WASHINGTON – The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded the Washington County Board of Commissioners a $25,000 grant for a manufacturing supply chain study. The ARC grant will be matched by local support, for a project total of $50,000. The funds will allow the Washington County Economic Development Commission to identify supply chain opportunities and highlight companies that could potentially relocate to Washington County.
Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) issues the following statement:
WASHINGTON – Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) has published an op-ed on how to rebuild America’s infrastructure in the Hartford Courant with Ronald M. DeFeo, President and CEO of the Terex Corporation, a manufacturing company headquartered in Connecticut.
Delaney is the only former CEO of a publicly-traded company in Congress.
WASHINGTON – Entrepreneur Theodore Leonsis authored an op-ed today for Bloomberg View on America’s infrastructure deficit, corporate tax reform, and Congressman John K. Delaney’s Partnership to Build America Act (H.R. 2084). Leonsis called for Washington to find common ground on infrastructure and tax reform and called the Delaney infrastructure bill, “a credible opportunity at hand to transform the economy and put in place the physical infrastructure our children need to enjoy the same opportunities our parents gave us.”
WASHINGTON – Today, it was announced that Washington County has been awarded a $1,000,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant to improve the taxiways at the Hagerstown Regional Airport. The grant will be used to fund improvements for two taxiways and the installation of safety lighting.