09.03.18

Cantwell Statement on Labor Day 2018

SEATTLE – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement in recognition of Labor Day:

“Today, as we do each year on Labor Day, we honor and reflect on the hard-working men and women who have built our country into a land of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity. Throughout our history, the labor movement has served as the backbone of the American economy and as the guardian of the American Dream.

In Washington state, we know the power of labor first-hand. Our state continues to lead the nation in fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. We have the best workers in the world, who consistently prevail even when the deck is stacked against them. The working men and women of the United States are the reason why our country’s economic productivity is the envy of the world.

But today, too many middle-class families across our country are struggling to make ends meet. Too many people work long hours for too little pay. Every day in the Senate, I am focused on spurring job creation and economic growth to support working families. That’s why I have co-sponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage and increase access to capital and funding for women-owned businesses. I am continually fighting for investments in job-training programs, apprenticeship programs, and veteran employment programs. That’s why I introduced a bipartisan bill that would create the first ever national incentive for apprentice programs and helped pass laws to provide tax incentives for employers to hire veterans.

As the Senate continues its business this fall, I will continue to fight on the side of working families.”

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