Dear friend,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work.

Last week, we marked Public Schools Week. I participated in a news conference hosted by the Connecticut Education Association to uplift the importance of public education funding. I also introduced the Respect, Advancement, Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act. This legislation would create a tax credit of up to $15,000 for public school teachers to help them educate the next generation.

More from the week: The House Committee on Education and Workforce convened a full committee hearing titled, Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy. Additionally, the House considered the Republican Budget Proposal. I voted no on this extreme legislation which would result in drastic cuts to essential programs and provide tax cuts for the wealthy. 

For my full recap, please read below.

Standing up for Public Education

Last week, we marked Public Schools Week. During this time, we honor the contributions and achievements of educators and education advocates in public schools and the communities they serve.

On Tuesday, I attended a news conference hosted by the Connecticut Education Association (CEA). The news conference focused on the role of the Department of Education and the impact cuts to the department will have on our communities.



I started this Public Schools Week with CEA advocating for the public education all students deserve.

To watch the news conference, click here.


The RAISE Act



On Wednesday, I introduced the Respect, Advancement, Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act. I was joined by Congressman Mark Takano (CA-14), Congressman John Larson (CT-01), and Senator Corey Booker.  This bicameral legislation seeks to improve financial compensation for the public servants educating the next generation.

Specifically, the RAISE Act would create a tax credit of up to $15,000 for public school teachers and close the wage gap facing the profession.

The RAISE Act offers opportunities for greater financial stability for educators. Investing in our educator workforce makes our schools and communities stronger.

Learn more about RAISE Act here.

 
Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy


Last week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce convened a full committee hearing entitled, Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy. 

I focused my remarks on the importance of small businesses, job creation, and support for employees. I reminded my Republican colleagues that supporting workers means opposing cuts to essential programs that many working families depend on. 

If my Republican colleagues were serious about engaging the workforce and putting money back into the pockets of workers, they would not be dangling modest proposals for workers while giving massive tax breaks to the rich. We should be focused on raising the federal minimum wage which stands at just $7.50 an hour – or $15,000 a year for an employee.  Instead, they are supporting a $4.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest individuals.
 
The full hearing is available here.


The House Republican Budget Proposal

Last week, House Republicans advanced their extreme budget proposal.
 
The budget proposal provides a $4.5 trillion tax break for billionaires, cuts $880 billion from the Energy and Commerce Committee which could include Medicaid. The budget also raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion and will contribute $1.6 trillion to the deficit. The legislation could also result in funding cuts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is just the latest attempt by House Republicans to further the extreme policies of this Administration and raise costs on American families.

What the House Republican Budget Proposal means in CT-05: 

• The Affordable Care Act
  • Under the Republican budget plan, the 25,000 people who receive coverage under the Affordable Care Act in CT-05 would see their average premium go up by $1,730 per year — a 62% increase.

• Medicaid
  • The Republican budget plan would put the 210,395 people in CT-05 depending on Medicaid at risk of losing health care coverage. This includes 91,038 children under the age of 19 and 32,000 seniors over 65 in CT-05.
•  SNAP
  • More than 88,000 people in CT-05 count on SNAP to put food on the table. This extreme budget proposal would strip this essential resource.

Alongside 214 of my Democratic colleagues, I voted no on this extreme legislation. I joined House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and members of the Democratic Caucus for a press conference on the bill.

While House Republicans cater to wealthy corporations, House Democrats will continue fighting for families.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Please be assured I will continue to advocate for your priorities.

That’s a wrap. 



Jahana Hayes