Jobs and the Economy

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01) has reintroduced the State Marijuana And Regulatory Tolerance (SMART) Enforcement Act (H.R. 3534). This bill prohibits state-sanctioned marijuana consumers and businesses from being prosecuted by the federal government. By a margin of more than 6 to 1, Americans say that individual states should be able to make their own laws… Read more »

Dear Friend, Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C., have legalized some form of marijuana. And more are expected to vote on legalization in 2018. Yet, marijuana possession or use for any purpose is still prohibited under the federal Controlled Substances Act, leaving every participant in the state markets — including cancer patients — at risk of… Read more »

SEATTLE – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today visited a startup supporter, Galvanize, to discuss the economic benefits a vibrant startup ecosystem provides our communities. Startup companies in the area are creating innovative new products and services and using technology to solve real-world problems. Galvanize helps these businesses through training and counseling, and… Read more »

What better place to host a media event between startup companies and one of the Puget Sound region's top legislators than a hub for entrepreneurial growth and activity named "Galvanize?" To celebrate national startup day, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene met with a select group of Seattle-based entrepreneurs and startup founders at Galvanize Seattle's offices. After a brief tour of… Read more »

A Democratic bill intended to spur experimentation with health insurance and other portable benefits for gig economy workers has gained the support of a Republican senator, sparking optimism that other GOP lawmakers could follow. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) signed on as the only co-sponsor for the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act ( S. 1251, H.R. 2685). The… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) reintroduced the State Marijuana And Regulatory Tolerance (SMART) Enforcement Act (H.R. 3534) to protect medical patients, recreational users and businesses in states that have legalized and regulated marijuana from being prosecuted now or in the future. “My bill will fix the conflict between state and federal law by giving states… Read more »

Dear Friend, Today is the anniversary of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act being signed into law. This landmark legislation helps protect consumers by monitoring financial systems and identifying risks to economic stability. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives chose to gut these critical safeguards last month, passing a bill that will remove or… Read more »

The Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare is, for now, mothballed, in no small part because of Democratic resistance, fierce opposition from industry groups, and, above all else, GOP disarray. What didn’t help doom the effort: an enormous U.S. industry that repeatedly joined President Obama to promote the Affordable Care Act. Uber, Lyft, and a long list of other… Read more »

The gig economy owes a lot to Obamacare. In the wake of the financial crisis, as smartphones were just becoming the norm, millions of Americans were out of work. Then, Uber hit the market one year before Obamacare was passed, and suddenly, the “gig economy” seemed feasible. Startups could launch without providing costly healthcare, and their workers—excuse me,… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today welcomed House passage of her amendment, included in the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act (H.R. 2842), which helps people find good-paying jobs in high-demand industries through apprenticeships. “Helping people find long-term employment in a high-demand industry is one of the best ways to ensure everyone has economic… Read more »