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Severe inflation, stock market turbulence, and troubling workforce data have driven recent economic concerns for American families already struggling to make ends meet. Moreover, our national debt has swelled to surpass $35 trillion—$12.74 trillion higher than the total national debt before the pandemic. Over the past year alone, the debt has grown by $6.73 billion per day.
This week, as I visited a number of Third District communities, several major economic indicators were published, confirming what we already know: President Biden’s inflation hasn’t ended, and a radical change of direction in Washington’s fiscal policy is needed to remedy an ailing economy.
Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its finalized rule for minimum staffing requirements in long-term care facilities:
In December 2023, the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) released a bipartisan report outlining a strategy to combat the CCP’s growing influence around the world. I have been vocal in my support for the committee’s work. As our leading adversary and one of the world’s worst human rights abusers, the CCP continues to increase its troubling influence around the world, and the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) reintroduced legislation to ensure federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds are used to help the neediest Americans. The bill, the Targeting TANF to Families in Need Act, would direct states to ensure TANF assistance is targeted toward families with a household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Currently no federal eligibility limits for TANF exist.
The congressman released the following statement:
Investing in the growth of a child as a parent, teacher, or mentor, and then seeing the child flourish to their fullest potential is both rewarding and inspiring. In schools and homes across the Third District, Nebraskans work tirelessly to create opportunities for students to learn and thrive. As a lawmaker, my mission is to support this work by maximizing the opportunities available to each and every student.
This week, thousands came to Washington to participate in the 51st annual March for Life and celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Day. Sanctity of Human Life Day was first recognized in 1984 by President Reagan, marking the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision and commemorating the right to life for the unborn. When handed down in January of 1973, Roe v Wade assigned federal protection for abortion access to an arbitrary point in pregnancy and unjustly struck down state laws which protected unborn children.
Economic hardships brought about by severe inflation and supply chain challenges continue, creating an ongoing affordability crisis in our country. Small businesses and families across the nation have had to make difficult choices and dig into savings to make ends meet in recent years. Inflation hits hardest those who can least afford it: those on fixed and low incomes. Seniors struggling to stretch their savings have little recourse when prices go up but their earnings do not.
Over the last month, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with constituents in many of the Third District’s 80 counties. It has been a busy time with many hours spent behind the windshield, and I'm encouraged by the Nebraskans doing so much to help our communities thrive. From farmers and ranchers to entrepreneurs and small businesses to educators and families preparing the next generation, Nebraskans are working hard to support their families, serve their neighbors, and make our state a better place.
Labor Day is an opportunity to acknowledge and show appreciation for the contributions of the American workforce. Unfortunately, American workers don’t have much to celebrate this Labor Day. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.2 million workers have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more. Some 5.2 million workers across the United States are “not in the labor force who currently want a job.” Real wages have decreased 4 percent since President Biden took office, overall prices are up over 16 percent, and interest rates are soaring.