DeLauro Praises President Biden for Strengthening Worker Protections and Expanding Pathways to the Middle Class

WASHINGTON – House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on the executive orders President Biden is expected to sign today, among them the fulfillment of the President's promise to make Buy American a reality:

"The federal government should set the standard for protecting workers and strengthening the middle class, and President Biden is taking critical steps to do just that. As a champion of American industries and longtime supporter of Buy American initiatives, I applaud today's actions that will increase investment in U.S. workers, support and create good-paying union jobs, and build back our economy. I have been proud to support efforts to ensure Buy American standards are in place for our nation's defense acquisition programs and included in my infrastructure proposals.

"Long before the coronavirus pandemic, working families faced unyielding barriers to entering the middle class, unions fought constant attempts to undermine worker's rights, and American businesses lost customers to overseas competitors. President Biden's actions today ensure that the federal government is putting American taxpayer money back into the economy by supporting American made goods made by American workers. These actions are a good first step to support American manufacturing and the middle class and help lay the groundwork for more action to support workers, businesses, manufacturers, and make it easier for families to get into the middle class.

"President Biden's commitment to improving the labor standards for all federal contractors by requiring emergency paid sick leave sets the tone for Congress to pass my legislation, the Healthy Families Act. His prioritization of workers must be met with swift legislative action."