Post by bot on Oct 29, 2015 1:47:27 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks at Third "Make It In America: What's Next?" Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) hosted the third “Make It In America: What’s Next?” hearing today to explore how the economy has, and hasn’t, changed since the Make It In America plan was created in 2010, and what families and businesses need to Make It In America in today’s economy. At today’s hearing, House Democratic Members spoke about the economic successes and challenges facing their districts, and how we can continue to build and maintain a robust and competitive economy and job market for the future. Below are Whip Hoyer’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Good afternoon.
“I’m pleased to call this hearing to order, which is the third in our series called “Make It In America: What’s Next?” that we’ve held on Capitol Hill since July.
“Over the summer, as Members were home in their districts, many convened field hearings with experts and local leaders to ask them the same question we’ve been asking here: ‘How can House Democrats best adapt and expand upon the Make It In America plan to help create jobs and opportunities here in our country?’
“On July 31, I hosted a field hearing in Maryland’s Fifth District, where I heard from local innovators, manufacturers, and educators about new ideas and new initiatives being undertaken across the district and our region that could be scaled up to help advance the goals of Make It In America across the country.
“I know other Members participating today will bring similar feedback from their own communities. Today, we’re going to be hearing testimony both from Members who weren’t able to join us at our last Member-Day on July 9 and from others who wish to share some of the feedback they received from field hearings in their districts.
“Before we begin, though, I want to provide a brief overview of why House Democrats are so focused on advancing a plan for jobs and opportunity.
“Over the past seven years, we’ve watched our economy go from crisis to recovery, aided by a relentless focus on private sector growth and a stronger middle class from the Obama Administration.
“In October 2009, just a few months after the President took office, the national unemployment rate peaked at 10%. The rate of uninsured was at 18%.
“In 2015, we have 12 million more private sector jobs than we did in 2009. After the longest period of uninterrupted job growth in our history, the unemployment rate has fallen to 5.1%. The number of Americans who have gained health insurance since 2013 recently reached 17.6 million, bringing the uninsured rate down to below 10% - its lowest level since records were first kept half a century ago.
“These are all very good indicators, but millions of Americans are still worried about finding a job, making ends meet, and securing a better future for their children. We need to take our economy from recovery to resurgence.
“That’s what Make It In America is all about, and with our economic circumstances having changed since 2010 when the plan was first launched, we’re working to adapt it to meet the new challenges and new opportunities in the years ahead.
“So today we’re not only going to be talking about manufacturing, education, infrastructure, and innovation – though these remain important components of Make It In America.
“We’re also going to be hearing about the federal government’s ability to encourage the growth of jobs and opportunities in emerging economic sectors, as well as how to make government work more effectively and make sure that it is more responsive to workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers.
“So, without further ado, let me introduce the first of today’s panels.”