Standing Up For Working Families
Our ability to compete in a global economy depends on a robust middle class. That is why I am committed to supporting policies that will enable the middle class to expand and grow in a 21st-century economy. It is no secret that the financial crisis of 2008 structurally changed the way our economic system works. Congress needs to act accordingly. Congress must make sure hard work is rewarded and all Americans have a chance to succeed.
Congress needs to help working families achieve economic security by raising the minimum wage, expanding access to overtime pay, guaranteeing maternity and sick leave, and expanding the child tax credit.
As a child of immigrants to this country who struggled to get reach the middle class, I have seen firsthand the importance of a college degree, and what it means to succeed. Unless we act now, student loan debt will continue to climb and make it that much harder for young people to achieve financial independence. College affordability impacts everyone and as your Congressman, I will continue fighting to make sure a college degree is within everyone's means.
More on Standing Up For Working Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement in response to President Trump's tweet claiming he'd freeze FEMA funding to address the California wildfires:
WASHINGTON, DC - Last night, Congressman Krishnamoorthi joined his colleagues in passing the FY 2019 Department of the Treasury and IRS appropriations bill to ensure Illinois families will receive their tax refunds on time and in full. Due to the partial government shutdown, only 12% of IRS employees are currently on the job, meaning that thousands of families' tax returns are vulnerable to delays and administrative error. Last year, more than 5 million Illinoisans received tax refunds totaling almost $14 billion, an average refund of $2,900 per filing.
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has requested that his salary from January 1st through the remainder of the shutdown be withheld, delaying his pay until the government reopens in solidarity with workers who aren't being paid while also donating his pay from the December portion of the shutdown to local charities.
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to new developments threatening the nation's and Illinois' economies as a result of the government shutdown predicated on President Trump's demand for a border wall that was supposed to be paid for by Mexico in the first place:
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits and Administrative Rules, issued the following statement in response to a district court decision in the Texas v. United States lawsuit striking down the Affordable Care Act, including its essential protections for people with pre-existing conditions:
CHICAGO, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle convened an event with Senator Dick Durbin, US Representatives from the Chicago area, and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners to encourage health insurance enrollment through GetCoveredIllinois.org on the eve of its December 15th deadline.
WASHINGTON, DC – Following today's approval by the Illinois Tollway Authority of a framework agreement with Canadian Pacific Railway and Union Pacific Railway to move the Elgin-O'Hare Western Access (EOWA) project forward, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) issued the following statement:
CHICAGO, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado today at Wright College announced that funding from the passage of Rep. Krishnamoorthi's legislation, The Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act, known as The Perkins Act, will support the continued modernization of CTE programs in Chicago. The Perkins Act is the main source of federal funding for high school and postsecondary CTE programs in Illinois.
CHICAGO, IL – Congressman Krishnamoorthi toured Cinespace Film Studios in Chicago today as part of his continuing leadership on the issues of workforce development and skills training. At Cinespace, Congressman Krishnamoorthi discussed on-the-job training in the film industry with interns in CineCares' Mirkopoulos Internship Program (MIP) and its community partners. Through MIP, CineCares offers young adults in the Chicago area from under-served communities a 12-week job training program in the TV and film industry.
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today requested that the Department of Justice's Civil Rights division inform Congress on the steps it is taking to ensure that all lawful voters are able to cast their ballots in the 2018 elections and all others in which they are eligible to participate.