Workers’ Rights
Throughout my career, I have fought attempts to weaken minimum wage laws. The recent great recession has reminded us that no matter how hard a person works, unless they earn a livable wage and can maintain their assets, anyone and everyone is at risk of being impoverished overnight.
In 1989, I led Congress in supporting the workers of Eastern Airlines during their labor dispute. Nearly 20 years later, I led the bipartisan Georgia delegation in standing up for 55,000 Delta Airline employees in our state who sacrificed so much to survive three difficult years of bankruptcy. Supporting workers rights does not mean opposing business; both can coexist and thrive.
Over the years, I have consistently supported key labor policies that ensure we do not undercut basic labor protections for a profit. As a result, I am a strong proponent of:
- Raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour, while supporting a national livable wage standard;
- Equal pay for equal work;
- Modernizing family, sick, and vacation leave standards;
- The Employee Free Choice Act and the rights of workers to organize collectively;
- Preserving and improving Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage standards;
- Fighting modern day slavery – forced labor and child labor;
- Improving workplace safety;
- Protecting whistleblower rights; and
- Strengthening retirement security and health care.
In addition to introducing a reintroducing resolution that urges the U.S. to ratify key International Labor Organization (ILO) and United Nations conventions, I am also a Member of the following Congressional Member Organizations:
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Fighting for better programs and protecting funding for American worker programs is a top priority. Federal initiatives like the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and support for small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses cannot be put on the chopping block.
More on Workers’ Rights
WASHINGTON — Today, the House Ways and Means Committee reconvened to continue markup of irresponsible H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The committee considered eight amendments offered by Democrats. Republicans voted down amendments that would have helped the middle class by extending the child tax credit, encouraging employers to hire veterans, reinstating the adoption tax credit, and taxing corporations at the same rate domestically and abroad. They voted against the middle class. They voted against what is best for America.
On December 19 and 20, 2017, Congressional Republicans passed H.R. 1, their bill to cut taxes for the richest Americans and for corporations on the backs of working and middle-class families, students, and seniors.
This plan, first introduced in the House on November 2, affects every American, every taxpayer in current and future generations. In response to constituent concerns about this bill's impact, the below pages track every aspect of the bill's movement in the House and Senate.
WASHINGTON—During a marathon 18-hour markup of the Ryancare proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Democrats on the House Ways & Means Committee engaged in a long struggle to amend the Ryan alternative. They were concerned that, as written, the proposal robs the most vulnerable Americans, including millions who were only recently able to afford healthcare due to the ACA, in favor of payoffs to corporate health insurers and the wealthiest Americans. Ryancare was introduced without a Congressional Budget Office score, so no one knows how much Ryancare will co
WASHINGTON—Today during the Ways & Means markup of Ryancare, intended to repeal President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA), Rep. Lewis offered an amendment to “certify” that no American would lose their healthcare during the repeal and replace process the Republican majority is advancing. The markup is being managed by the Republican majority in an unusual, piecemeal fashion. One part of the proposal is being debated at a time, instead of debating and evaluating the entire bill, as is generally the procedure.
Today in a marathon mark-up of the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (TPA) of 2015 in the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Lewis sought to amend the TPA to clarify and strengthen the instructions on labor and human protections, and it establishes an appropriate process to add human rights legislation to an implementing bill. In many nations where Americans trade, workers and citizens suffer human rights and labor violations that are illegal in this country. Lewis made this statement on behalf of his amendment that would use the influence of the U.S.
WASHINGTON—Today Rep. John Lewis participated in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol where a marker was unveiled to honor the contributions of slave laborers to the U.S. Capitol. The following is his statement:
“President Barack Obama presented an inspiring vision of the future to the Congress and the American people tonight. An America built to last should certainly be the hope of every member of Congress and every citizen of this nation.
WASHINGTON--Today one of the least productive Congresses in recent history turned its attention to H. J. Res 98 for the only full day of voting scheduled this week. The resolution, unlikely to move in the Senate, expresses partisan disapproval of the President’s authority to extend the debt limit. Republican Presidents from Reagan to Bush raised the debt ceiling numerous times during their tenure without any complaint from Republican conservatives, though the deficit bloated more during these administrations than any others in the past 30 years. Rep.