WASHINGTON, DC—Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn joined his Democratic colleagues today at a press conference to unveil the “Make It In America” agenda for the 112th Congress. Make it in America is a plan to support job creation today and in the future by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the U.S .and sell it to the world through strengthening our infrastructure and supporting investments in key areas like education and energy innovation. This effort builds on House Democrats' actions to create jobs and continue growing the economy and focuses on investing in key priorities while cutting wasteful spending. In the coming days, Clyburn will reintroduce his Rural Energy Savings Program Act as part of the Make it in America agenda. Following are his remarks from the press conference.
“It’s been 120 days of the Republican majority and we haven’t seen a jobs bill on the floor. Maybe they need some ideas. I have a bill that has bipartisan and bicameral support. Leader Cantor, I’m here to help. With my idea we can break your no-jobs bill streak.
“It’s the Rural Energy Savings Program—an idea that’s home grown and American-owned, born from South Carolina co-ops. The concept is very simple: low cost home improvement loans for energy efficiency upgrades. Sealing, insulation, HVAC systems, and heat pumps—are all items that are Made in America—the production of these items, plus the labor to install them will create good-paying jobs—estimated at is estimated to create 20,000 to 40,000 jobs a year. Consumers pay back the loans on their energy bill and the energy savings help cover the cost of the loan. Mr. Cantor, let’s make this your first jobs bill of the new majority.”