Economic Opportunity for Every American

Across our nation, 2020 has been a year of upheaval. Since March, our lives have been drastically different as we have stayed home, worked remotely, and avoided gathering in large groups to help protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable populations. We have taken extraordinary steps in our personal, professional, and social lives in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Just as states have begun implementing plans to reopen public places and we begin resuming our daily lives as we knew them a few months ago, cities across our nation have been moved by the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

I condemn racism and the violence inflicted on George Floyd in the strongest possible terms. I also condemn the looting, vandalism, and violence occurring across our country, particularly by those who are rioting solely because a moment of national reflection has provided them an excuse. We must strive together every day to ensure the freedoms of life, liberty, and opportunity, are available to their fullest extent to each of us.

This is a difficult time in our nation, and we must listen and reflect on how to move forward together. I am committed to helping the most vulnerable, and ensuring personal freedom and economic opportunity are truly available to every American.

Creating economic opportunity has long been a goal of mine. In 2018, I introduced the JOBS Act, the first major overhaul of our TANF (cash welfare) programs since the 1990s. Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady reintroduced the bill last year with my support, and I continue to support its goal – connecting individuals with the support they need to reenter the workforce, stay connected with employment, and have increased opportunity to receive advancement and promotion.

The last welfare reform improved the ability of mothers to return to the workforce, but its incentives left behind too many young people, particularly young men, as states diverted resources to meet federal requirements which prioritized getting people off of welfare rolls without tracking whether they were successful after they attempted to reenter the workforce. We must do better.

As our country recovers, we must stay focused on solutions. One small step is ensuring the most vulnerable Americans have the opportunities they so desperately need.