Economy

Amid rising rent costs, utility bills, and grocery expenses, it’s no wonder that Oregonians are concerned about their personal finances and feeling less secure in the economy. Our state is still recovering from COVID-19 and the immense pressure the pandemic put on our supply chains, industries, and workers. We need to grow Oregon’s economy and ensure that we’re fighting inflation, addressing income inequality, and creating good-paying jobs. 

Spurring economic development shouldn’t just be about economic output. First and foremost, our focus should be helping workers and growing America’s middle class. That’s why I’m supporting a variety of proposals that would bring quality jobs back to OR-06 and preserve them for generations to come. For instance, I recently cosponsoredthe No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act, a bill that would level the playing field for American workers and small businesses by ensuring that multinational corporations pay the same tax rate on profits earned abroad as they do in the United States. My staff and I are also focused on ensuring that Oregon’s robust semiconductor and high-tech industries are supported by the CHIPS and Science Act — a bill signed into law by President Biden that includes $39 billion in investments for U.S. chip manufacturing and $13 billion for semiconductor research and workforce training.

As we work to grow our economy and the middle-class, we must ensure that growth happens equitably and that every Oregonian gets a fair deal. That’s why I cosponsoredthe Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation addressing wage discrimination related to pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. I also cosponsoredthe ESP Family Leave Act, which would expand family leave for education support professionals.

Lastly, I’m committed to protecting employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. One of the very first bills I signed onto as a new member of Congress was the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act, comprehensive legislation that seeks to protect the rights of workers to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Strong unions lead to better outcomes for workers, and I am committed to protecting unions’ ability to stand up for their members. 

When workers and families have the tools to make ends meet, businesses grow and our economy prospers. A strong middle-class makes a strong economy.