Issue Position: Labor

Issue Position

As the son of a union ironworker, I know unions and working individuals are the backbone of our economy. Not only have unions led the fight for living wages and safety protections, but their advocacy created our country's middle-class and continues to provide economic security to families like mine. I have always proudly stood with labor as we've fought together to protect and expand workers' benefits, protections, and create new good-paying opportunities for Americans.

Today's economy presents both new challenges and new opportunities for working people in America. To create a robust and equal economy, we must invest in clean energy and industries that will provide good-paying jobs. I was proud to partner with Sen. Elizabeth Warren to put forward legislation to correct inequalities and burdens on the economy and to create new rules that benefit the American worker. This legislation takes significant steps to reverse harmful trends that have produced record corporate profits but stagnant wages for American workers.

Good-paying jobs, quality health care, and investments in our communities are critical for working Americans. I was deeply proud to vote for the Paycheck Fairness Act, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and legislation to bolster pension protections for workers. As a senator, I'll be a strong voice for universal health care, strong unions, and an economy that benefits us all. This is how we work together for working Americans.

My Record on Supporting Labor

Women should earn equal pay for equal work. I was proud to cast a vote for the Paycheck Fairness Act to close the persistent wage gap between men and women -- a wage gap that is significantly wider for women of color.
Voted for the Raise the Wage Act to increase the federal minimum wage for the first time in more than a decade. Individuals who work hard deserve wages that reflect the value of their contributions to our economy and society, which we accomplish by paying workers a salary they can live off of.
Unions are the backbone of our economy and continue today to lead the fight to create an economy that is equal for all workers. To support these efforts, I'm a proud co-sponsor of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act to strengthen protections for workers' right to organize and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.
Along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, I introduced the Accountable Capitalism Act to correct harmful trends that have left the American worker struggling with stagnant wages and decreased opportunities as corporate profits continue to rise.
Proudly voted for the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act, which would create a Pension Rehabilitation Trust Fund and help working Americans keep the pension funds they've earned after a lifetime of service.
Proudly support the Social Security 2100 Act to protect our Social Security system and improve the benefits for current and future generations.
A sweeping infrastructure package will boost the middle-class while repairing our country's crumbling roads, schools, hospitals, and electric systems and jumpstarting our transition to a green energy economy. As a core component of any infrastructure package, I've championed legislation to invest in broadband infrastructure to connect rural communities with high-speed Internet. Democrats' LIFT America Act -- legislation I've advocated for in Congress -- will invest more than $17 billion for energy infrastructure.
Highest-ranking co-sponsor of Medicare for All

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