Helping Working Families
Standing Up for Workers and Working Families
Over the last 20 years, the gap between the wealthy and the middle class has grown significantly. Families who were once comfortably in the middle class are now struggling to cope with record high prices for food, food and health care – while also providing a decent future for their families and children. A strong economy is the single most important factor in making the American Dream possible. I am proud to support legislation that stands with workers and working families and helps to alleviate the challenges they face.
Raising the Minimum Wage
In the United States, everyone should be able to access basic necessities like food and shelter. However, the current federal minimum wage is too low to adequately support someone working hard to make ends meet. At $7.25 an hour, the minimum wage pays only $15,000 per year, placing a family of three thousands of dollars below the poverty line. For hardworking Americans seeking economic security for themselves and their families, this is simply not good enough.
That is why I support raising the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. It can be very difficult to raise a family in this economy, and hardworking Americans deserve to be properly compensated. This bill is a step in the right direction.
Closing the Wage Gap
Despite the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women in the United States are paid on average just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. In 2009, I was proud to vote for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and watch President Obama sign it into law. This important legislation clarified that pay discrimination constitutes a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As long as workers file their lawsuit within 180 days of receiving a discriminatory paycheck, their charges would still be considered timely.
Further, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill aims to eliminate the gender wage gap by allowing women to collect punitive as well as compensatory damages for pay discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act also offers negotiation skills training to women and girls as well as resources to small businesses to promote pay equity in the workplace. Paycheck fairness is not only good for women, but also good for the economic security of American families.
Improving Family and Medical Leave
In this economic climate, no one should have to worry about losing his or her job due to family obligations or medical necessity. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 was passed to allow employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period to care for a family member, newborn, newly-adopted child, or newly-placed foster child. While this landmark legislation made great strides to help families during difficult and joyous times, we still have a long way to go to improve protected leave.
That is why I am a cosponsor the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, a bill that extends the legacy of the FMLA through 12 weeks of paid leave. I am also a cosponsor of the Healthy Families Act, which permits employees to earn at least one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Hardworking Americans should not have to choose between their health or the health of a family member and their paycheck.
Protecting the Workplace Rights of Pregnant Women
Women make up nearly half of the American workforce, yet their job security is often threatened when they become pregnant. As a husband and father, I am proud to cosponsor the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill making it unlawful to force pregnant women out of the workplace or deny them reasonable accommodations that would enable them to continue providing for their families.
More on Helping Working Families
Warren, OH – Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) and Mahoning Valley Leaders launched the “Drive It Home” campaign this morning aimed at bolstering support for GM Lordstown and the Mahoning Valley Workforce. Leaders who took part of the campaign include Senator Sherrod Brown, Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill, Congressman Bill Johnson, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Shop Chairman Danny Morgan, UAW Regional Director Rich Rankin, and Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO James Dignan.
April 2007 – Rep. Tim Ryan applauds BioEnterprise and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse for their new approach to attracting venture capital to the region’s emerging medical manufacturing and bio-tech industries – the beginning of Rep. Ryan’s larger vision of a Tech Belt that stretches from Cleveland to Pittsburgh.
In October 2007, Congressman Tim Ryan (Oh-17) and Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) co-hosted a meeting of opinion leaders from NE Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The goal of the event was to begin a community dialogue on how to create a technology corridor between the Cleveland and Pittsburgh markets.
In October 2007, Congressman Tim Ryan (Oh-17) and Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) co-hosted a meeting of opinion leaders from NE Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The goal of the event was to begin a community dialogue on how to create a technology corridor between the Cleveland and Pittsburgh markets.
Washington, DC – Congressman Tim Ryan today introduced the Prioritizing Our Workers (POWA) Act. This legislation revises the priorities section of the bankruptcy code to place unpaid vested benefits on the same level as bankruptcy attorneys’ fees and other highest-priority claims that a company must pay out in full before paying any other claims. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) is an original co-sponsor in the House, and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Warren, OH – Congressman Tim Ryan announced $1,609,045.00 to be awarded to the Portage Private Industry Council, Inc. for their Head Start programs.
Washington, DC – Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH-13) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM-03) today introduced the Alleviating Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Act, which increases and streamlines funding for early childhood home visiting services. There is considerable evidence that home visiting and pediatric-based services have been extremely successful in preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as mistreatment, neglect, or sexual abuse.
Washington, DC – Congressman Tim Ryan released the following statement in response to the Senate GOP’s release of their “new” Trumpcare Bill.
Vienna, Ohio – Congressman Tim Ryan today announced almost $40,000 in federal funds for two local fire departments. The Vienna Fire Department has received $13,169 and the Braceville Township Fire Department has received $23,334 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
Ravenna, OH -- Congressman Tim Ryan today announced that Neighborhood Development Services has received $440,667 in flexible grants from NeighborWorks America. The grant funding will provide a much-needed boost that will support NDS’s affordable housing and community development activities.