The American Jobs Act
President Obama has done his part: soon sending the American Jobs Act to Congress to create jobs, strengthen small businesses, rebuild America, and grow our economy now. We must take up and pass this legislation without further delay.For more than 250 days in the majority, House Republicans have failed to offer a jobs agenda. They now have the opportunity to change course, to pass the American Jobs Act, and to put people to work.
Our nation's families, workers, entrepreneurs, teachers, police officers, firefighters and veterans must not and cannot wait any longer; they cannot afford political gamesmanship. Democrats are prepared to act now on the American Jobs Act, which is fully paid for. Republicans must join us to address the American people's top priority: job creation.
House Republicans have spent more than 250 days in the Majority without passing a jobs bill even though it's clear Americans support action to spur job growth--from a new Economist/YouGov poll:
By a 21-point margin, Americans support more government investment to create jobs and grow the economy (50 percent to 29 percent).By an 8-point margin, more Americans trust Democrats to handle the issue of job creation than Republicans (34 percent to 26 percent).
Last week, Leader Pelosi called on Speaker Boehner to "move expeditiously to pass" the American Jobs Act and begin putting the country back to work and asked Democratic Ranking Members to urge committee Chairmen to schedule immediate hearings and action on the President's legislation. Democratic Ranking Members responded:
Committee on House Administration: Letter from Ranking Member Robert A. Brady to Chairman Daniel Lungren
Committee on Appropriations: Letter from Ranking Member Norm Dicks to Chairman Rogers
Committee on the Budget: Letter from Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen to Chairman Paul Ryan
Committee on Education and the Workforce: Letter from Ranking Member George Miller to Chairman John Kline
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Letter from Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman to Chairman Fred Upton
Committee on Financial Services: Letter from Ranking Member Barney Frank to Chairman Spencer Bachus
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Letter from Ranking Member Howard Berman to Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Committee on Homeland Security: Letter from Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson to Chairman Peter King
Committee on the Judiciary: Letter from Ranking Member John Conyers to Chairman Lamar Smith
Committee on Natural Resources: Letter from Ranking Member Ed Markey to Chairman Doc Hastings
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Letter from Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings to Chairman Darrell E. Issa
Committee on Science, Space and Technology: Letter from Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson to Chairman Ralph M. Hall
Committee on Small Business: Letter from Ranking Member Nydia M. Velazquez to Chairman Sam Graves
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Letter from Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall to Chairman John L. Mica
Committee on Veterans' Affairs: Letter from Ranking Member Bob Filner to Chairman Jeff Miller
Committee on Ways and Means: Letter from Ways and Means Democrats to Chairman Dave Camp