DeLauro, Braley Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Middle Class

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA), co-chairs of the Populist Caucus, today introduced the Rebuild America Act, comprehensive legislation to rebuild the American middle-class. The bill invests in our future through three main tenants: investment to foster jobs and growth, creating financial stability for middle-class families and restoring fairness to the tax code. This stands in direct contrast to the vision for America Republicans are pushing today: slashing the social safety net to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.

"The debate in Washington has gone on for too long. We need to stop talking and start implementing solutions to get America back to work," DeLauro said. "The Rebuild America Act makes bold, critical investments in our future to create jobs and promote the financial stability so crucial to middle-class Americans. These families have been facing pressures on all fronts, from struggling schools to declining manufacturing to the squeeze on pensions and retirement security. This bill will help both individuals and businesses start to pull themselves out of the morass we have been in and prepare our economy for future challenges."

"The Rebuild America Act is the kind of comprehensive plan we need to strengthen the middle class, grow America's economy, and invest in the future. From the modernization of America's schools to the expansion of renewable energy, from a national manufacturing strategy to raising the minimum wage, this bill is the kind of bold vision that will put America back on a path to prosperity and progress. Congress has been paralyzed by inaction, but I believe this common sense plan can appeal to people regardless of partisanship," said Braley.

The Rebuild America Act has a broad base of support from labor, business, civil rights groups and educators, among others. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

The Rebuild America Act has three overarching principles:

1. Investing in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth 2. Creating Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle-Class Families 3. Restoring Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

Investing in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth Creating solid middle-class jobs that cannot be outsourced will lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. To do this, we need to move from being a nation that consumes to one that builds and exports. The Rebuild America Act invests in our schools and teachers, renewable energy and roads, bridges and infrastructure. It also rebuilds our manufacturing power through expanded tax credits and access to credit for business.

Creating Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle-Class Families Middle-class families are facing enormous financial pressures, both during their working years and in retirement. The Rebuild America Act helps ease this stress by strengthening social security, establishing a fair minimum wage and ensuring paid sick days are available for workers across the country.

Restore Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility Our current tax system is unfair, too complex and keeps us on a path of perennial deficits. The Rebuild America Act takes action to level the playing field for all Americans. The bill includes the Buffet Rule, ends tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and makes Wall Street take responsibility for their irresponsible actions that led to the 2008 financial collapse. Crucially, the Rebuild America Act protects the pensions that workers are counting on to get through retirement by encouraging employers to continue to provide pensions and creating additional protections for people whose pension is a casualty of bankruptcy.

Formed in 2009, the House Populist Caucus is the only caucus in Congress dedicated solely to strengthening America's middle class. The Populist Caucus has 28 members.