The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) hosted an ad hoc hearing on job creation today featuring economists and other critical voices that have been excluded from Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction deliberations.
“Our job is to represent the majority of the American people, tell the truth about what’s happening in our economy, and keep pushing for job creation ideas that will put people back to work,” said CPC co-chair Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.). “The super-committee can talk about deep cuts, austerity, upper-class tax cuts and spreading the pain around all it wants. We’re here saying there’s a way to turn things around that doesn’t hurt working families. Congress needs to hear this more often instead of listening to the same tired Beltway conventional wisdom about helping the wealthy first.”
“Today we heard from one expert after another that the way to fix our deficits and to put our economy back on track is to put America back to work,” said CPC co-chair Keith Ellison (D-Minn.). “While Congressional Republicans are busy worrying about keeping their promises to right-wing ideologues like Grover Norquist, the Congressional Progressive Caucus is busy keeping its promises to the American people.”
The ad hoc hearing featured Prof. Jeffrey Sachsof Columbia University, Dr. Julianne Malveauxof Bennett College for Women, Dr. John Irons with the Economic Policy Institute, Robert Borosage, co-director of the Campaign for America’s Future, Dr. Rob Johnson of the Roosevelt Institute and Patriotic Millionaires, and Garrett Gruener, founder of Ask.com and a member of Patriotic Millionaires. Each witness presented economic and historic evidence that the best way to eliminate the nation’s debt is by creating good-paying middle class jobs, ensuring that all Americans pay their fair share, and protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.Dr. Sachs hailed the CPC’s People’s Budget as the best way forward, and Mr. Borosage saluted the CPC for demanding a new strategy for growth.
Video highlights of the hearing are available at http://bit.ly/sjjSoa.
