For decades, hard-working Americans in San Francisco and across the country have been hurting as the cost of living rises, paychecks remain flat and fear and uncertainty about the economy grow.  

As the 117th Congress begins, the economic challenges faced by families have been compounded by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.  With millions out of work and struggling to put food on the table and keep the roof over their head, and small businesses struggling to stay afloat, Congress must act boldly and urgently to not only crush the virus and get relief to businesses, communities and families, but Build Back Better – and to do so in a way that advances justice, prosperity and equality for all Americans.  Democrats, working with President Biden, are taking the action needed to defeat this pandemic, putting shots in people’s arms, money in their pockets, children back to school and people back to work.  And we will continue to advance legislation needed to help families and small businesses that are struggling. 

The coronavirus crisis has also pulled back the veil of inequality in our nation, sharpening our the disparities that rage in our society and country.  To combat the crisis of income and wealth disparity in our city and our country, particularly among women and communities of color, House Democrats took critical steps last Congress, passing the Raise the Wage Act, to gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and give 33 million Americans a long-overdue raise.  We also passed the Butch Lewis Act and the PRO Act to protect workers’ right to unionize and negotiate for fair wages and workplace safety.  And this Congress, I have led the House in creating the bipartisan Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth to advance proposals that make our economy work for everyone.  

In stark contrast, Republicans spent years working to hollow out our economy, failing hard-working families with a disastrous special interest agenda that sought only to further enrich the wealthy and well-connected.  They exploded the debt with their GOP Tax Scam, which gave massive handouts to corporations and 83 percent of the benefits to the wealthiest 1 percent.  They fought to undermine the health and financial security of families with their relentless health care sabotage campaign.  And for months, in the midst of a pandemic, they obstructed urgently needed coronavirus relief legislation to lift up communities hit hardest by the crisis.  

The Democratic House will join the new Biden-Harris Administration and the Democratic Senate to meet the economic challenges that families face. The American people demand and deserve transformative action – and Democrats are proud to deliver results in their lives as we work to build an economy that works for everyone.