Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces Legislation to Establish a Pilot for a Federal Jobs Guarantee Program
Today, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act, ambitious legislation that would establish a model federal jobs guarantee program in up to 15 high-unemployment communities and regions across the United States.
Thanks to this legislation, hardworking Americans can gain access to a living wage and provide benefits like health insurance, paid sick leave, and paid family leave. Participating communities will be required to create an online portal featuring high-impact jobs sourced primarily by localities and Federal agencies alike, based on their respective needs and priorities.
"We have tunnels and bridges in disrepair, families that can’t find childcare, and aging and toxic water infrastructure, which means there are plenty of jobs available and unfilled. This is not the result of a lack of people willing to do the work; it’s a gap created because localities cannot afford to pay them thanks to an ever-rising affordability crisis and lack of funding from the Trump Administration,” said Representative Watson Coleman. “The Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act creates a pilot program for the communities that need it most, giving good-paying jobs to people who have suffered while both wages and opportunities have shrunk. The work they’ll do will make tangible improvements in those same communities and reverberate through the national economy."
“Our economy is supposed to be built on the promise that if you work hard and play by the rules you and your family can get ahead – but right now that American promise is broken. Working people are being squeezed by Trump, with the rising costs of groceries, housing, childcare, and other essentials outpacing their wages, causing workers to fall behind as their power on the job is being stripped away. Americans want to build a better future, but with over 7.5 million people unemployed and nearly 40 million earning less than $17 hour, the system is rigged against them. Our bill would make a direct investment in people by guaranteeing good-paying jobs, equipping workers with real skills, and strengthening the communities that power our economy," said Senator Booker.
“While Minnesotans are still struggling to make ends meet, Trump and Republicans have only deepened the affordability crisis,” said Rep. Omar. “If we’re serious about building an economy that works for everyone, we have a responsibility to ensure that anyone who wants a good job can find one. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Senator Booker and Representative Watson Coleman on legislation that invests in workforce development and strengthens our communities.”
Originally introduced in 2018, the Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act was the first legislation of its kind to be introduced in Congress. Specifically, it would:
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Target employment in vital labor forces: The job guarantee program would particularly create more opportunities for the support of family care, infrastructure development, community revitalization, and more.
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Level the playing field for job opportunities across communities: Today, the unemployment rate is 4.4%. A job guarantee program would ensure that both racially and geographically marginalized communities across the nation which experience above-average unemployment rates would have a chance to join the workforce.
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Raise the floor for workforce wages: As unemployment rates remain at higher levels and more and more Americans seek job opportunities with greater urgency, employers are more likely to take advantage, offering jobs at lower wages. The job guarantee program will help set a new baseline for wages, urging private-sector employers to raise wages to incentivize employment over public-sector jobs.
This bill is cosponsored by Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Summer Lee (PA-0?), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10).
A companion bill will be introduced in the Senate by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).
Text of the bill can be found here.