Top 75 Jan Schakowsky Quotes

There is greater income inequality in the United States than in any other industrialized country. Yes, the debt is a problem that must be dealt with. To me, however, the disappearing middle class is even worse – bad for our economy and really bad for our democracy.

We should put hardworking families first by voting on legislation to create jobs, raise wages, provide equal pay for women, invest in education, protect voting rights, and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Reproductive health decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor. Any efforts to undermine women’s reproductive rights must stop.

Instituting equal pay is especially important because families in our country increasingly rely on women’s wages to make ends meet. When women bring home less money each day, it means they have less for the everyday needs of their families – groceries, rent, child care, and doctors’ visits.

Unequal pay exists across most job sectors of our economy, even in nursing.

I’ve fought to close the gender and racial pay gap for a very long time. One piece of advice I like to give whenever I’m speaking on the subject: if you want equal pay, join a union! I’ve never seen a union contract that pays women 79 cents to a man’s dollar.

When my office asked the regional HHS office to participate in an enrollment event – something they routinely have done for previous ACA and Medicare Part D enrollment – they said no. They were prohibited from doing so – under orders from the Trump Administration.

The United States and our allies across the world are working every day to fight terrorism. We must continue those efforts, and we must promote peace and freedom.

Obamacare does much more than provide coverage to the previously uninsured – it improves the quality of coverage for all of us. Critical cancer and other health screenings are free. Women and people with disabilities or chronic conditions are no longer charged more – or priced out of the market altogether.

Higher wages for American workers are not just good for American families, they are good for our economy. I will keep fighting for a raise for hard working Americans so our families can afford housing, help their children get a quality education, and secure a good retirement.

It is truly appalling for Senator Mark Kirk to equate the Obama Administration’s diplomacy with Nazi appeasement. As a Jewish-American, I am offended.

Since the birth of our Nation, no other right has been more important than having the ability to vote. Unfortunately, as history has shown, the denial of this right to minorities is a scar on our system of democracy.

Americans firmly rejected Republican legislative efforts to repeal the ACA – only 17 percent supported it.

As American Jews and descendants of immigrants, we never forget where our families came from or what members of our community experienced. Because we remember, we look out for those who are freeing persecution, oppression, and danger.

I was born and raised in Rogers Park in Chicago. My father sold furniture, and my mother was a Chicago public school teacher and proud member of the Chicago Teachers Union for decades.

For far too long, virtually every time Americans have been asked to make ‘tough choices,’ it has resulted in disproportionate harm for hardworking Americans and retirees.

In 1973, the Roe v. Wade decision concluded that women have a constitutionally protected right to safe and legal abortions. That landmark decision wasn’t the beginning of women having abortions; it was the end of women dying from abortions.

We have a choice: we can allow the growing disparity between rich and poor to continue unimpeded, or we can take action to budget responsibly and strengthen and expand the middle class. If we want this economy – and this country – to meet its full potential, the choice is simple.

President Trump ran on protecting U.S. jobs and renegotiating unfair trade policies – those policies strengthen labor laws around the world.

The effects of climate change are real and only getting worse. I would like to build on the promises of the Paris Climate Agreement and make our country a global leader on the fight against climate change.

There are big winners in Paul Ryan’s ‘Roadmap,’ and you can guess who they are. He would cut taxes for the wealthy, completely eliminate the corporate income tax, and create a value added tax.

As a country, we can make the commitment to provide quality long-term services – so that getting care doesn’t depend on whether you are fortunate enough to have a loved one willing and able to provide it.

Investing in women at home and abroad strengthens families, uplifts our children, improves health, makes communities and countries more peaceful, and brightens our collective future. Where women have equality, security, and the opportunity to live, work, and prosper, their families and societies are better off.

The truth is the middle class is not only stagnant but it is my fear that, without sustained and focused action, it is at risk of disappearing.

I support negotiating authority to lower prescription drug prices.

The rise of franchising, contracting, and other similar employment practices has made it harder to enforce worker protections like minimum wages, overtime pay, and the right to unionize.

Workers should not be prevented from bargaining with the companies that help set their wages, benefits, schedules, and workplace conditions.

The Republican ‘Work Harder for Less’ budget leaves more Americans even worse off than they are today. The ‘People’s Budget’ makes the critical investments needed to give the American people exactly what they deserve – economic security and peace of mind – and helps grow our economy from the middle out.

President Obama’s executive actions on immigration are designed to temporarily address major flaws in our broken immigration system.

As a Jew I cannot sit idle while genocidal atrocities continue to unfold in Darfur, Sudan.

I will continue to do all that I can to ensure and enhance worker protections, including the right to bargain collectively.

American workers deserve a raise. I fully support the push for $15 an hour and a union. We also must raise wages for low and middle income families.

Efforts to repeal Obamacare are misguided, dangerous, and just another instance of Republicans fighting the political wars of years past. But, health care shouldn’t be about politics; it must be about helping people lead healthier lives.

My family reached the United States before the Holocaust. Both of my parents emigrated from Russia as young children. My grandparents were fleeing religious persecution and came to America seeking a better life for their family.

As a first generation American myself, I know that comprehensive immigration reform is good for our country. I know it will reduce our deficit, grow our economy, reaffirm our values, advance our ideals, and honor our history as a nation of immigrants.

Democrats stand ready and willing to work with President Trump to improve upon the ACA – but we will not sit by and watch him sabotage the health care of millions of Americans.

Your health benefits are not a gift – you work hard for them every day.

Working families spend about 90 percent of their income on consumption – buying stuff. The rich spend less than 45 percent.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act doesn’t protect women’s health. It threatens it.

We must ensure American workers get the long-overdue raise they deserve.

Preventing gender-based violence is critical to establishing safe, productive, and healthy workplaces for all.

We understand what President Trump means when he talks about taking the country back. He does not see America as a country of people from diverse backgrounds united around values of freedom and respect. In his ‘American carnage’ version of our country, immigrants and refugees are a threat.

A woman should not have to fear retribution from her employer, and the District of Columbia should be able to pass laws to protect against that retribution.

While trade agreements are negotiated in secrecy, behind-closed doors, we have learned enough from leaks to know that the result of passing TPA to ‘fast track’ these trade agreements would affect everything from food safety to environmental protection to consumer financial protections.

As a first generation Jewish American, I have witnessed firsthand Jewish immigrants who have come to this Nation in order to create a better life for themselves, their families, and future generations.

The JCPOA is working – preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. It’s time for the Republicans to start working, too.

The District of Columbia has every right to pass their own laws, and House Republicans should stay out of it.

Without health insurance, getting sick or injured could mean going bankrupt, going without needed care, or even dying needlessly.

There is no better way to improve wages and working conditions in our country than to support the right to unionize. Throughout our history, unions have improved the lives of millions of American families, grown the middle class, and pushed our economy forward.

Hatred, bigotry, and discrimination have no place in our country. We must work hard to make sure that America remains an inclusive and respectful country.