GOP Releases CR Plan; Biden Signs ‘Good Jobs’ EO
Washington Update
Appropriations
On Friday, September 6, House Republicans unveiled their plan for a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through March. The proposal has already drawn skepticism from some GOP members. The plan would largely maintain current funding levels, including for labor-related agencies, but House conservatives are trying to attach the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act — which calls for stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting — to the measure. House Democrats, however, have already rejected prior attempts made by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA) to do so. On Monday, September 9, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro released a fact sheet detailing how the 6-month long CR hurts veterans, the military, disaster assistance, and domestic investments.
This only makes the House vote on a CR even more precarious — and the Democratic-controlled Senate is certain to reject the measure in its current form due to both the timing and the SAVE Act. With some House Republicans vocalizing concerns, Johnson might need Democratic votes to get the CR through the House. But these two items are nonstarters for House Dems who want the CR deadline to extend to the lame-duck session, following November elections. The September 30 deadline is fast approaching so Congress must act soon to avoid a shutdown.
Click here to access the GOP CR plan.
Click here to access the fact sheet.
Executive Order on Investing in America and Investing in American Workers
On Friday, September 6, President Joe Biden signed the Executive Order on Investing in America and Investing in American Workers that directs federal agencies to incorporate pro-union standards in their new manufacturing, infrastructure, and climate change investments. It calls for agencies to give preference to projects with better employee benefits, and that agree to be neutral towards, and voluntarily recognize, unions. The EO builds upon the administration’s Investing in America agenda that aims to create good jobs through investments in infrastructure, clean energy and manufacturing projects funded by the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act. It also continues the work of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Good Jobs Initiative, which provides resources and tools to maximize the creation of good jobs through federal investments.
Click here to access the EO.
EDA Funding Opportunity
On Monday, September 9, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that it is accepting applications for its FY24 $50 million Build to Scale (B2S) program. The B2S proposal supports organizations that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems to support entrepreneurs as they build and scale technology-driven businesses — along with the employees in the new, good jobs they create — to make and deliver new technology products and services.
The B2S grant program aims to build capacity for entrepreneurs and innovators to invent, improve, and bring to market new technology products and services; accelerate the growth of regional economies focused on industries of the future; empower communities to enable technology innovators and entrepreneurs to pilot and test their products and services; and equitably and inclusively increase access to capital for technology-enabled entrepreneurs. EDA expects to make 40 to 50 awards, with expected award amounts spanning from the low hundreds of thousands of dollars up to $5 million. The deadline to apply is 4:59 ET on October 28, 2024.
Click here to learn more about how to apply.
Unemployment Rate
On Friday, September 6, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the August unemployment report, which showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 142,000 - reflecting a slower labor market while also clearing the way for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates later this month. The unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.2% from 4.3% last month. Wage growth rose to 3.8% year over year, up from a 3.6% annual gani in July. On a monthly basis, wages increased 0.4% higher than the 0.2% seen the month prior.
Click here to access the report.
Click here to read Acting Secretary of Labor Su’s statement on the August jobs report.
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