Grijalva Calls for More Federal Action on Jobs With Neighborhood Benefit, Less Spending on Open-Ended Wars

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 128 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10 percent in June. Yuma, in western Arizona, again recorded one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates at 26.4 percent. Yet instead of taking action, Congress recently approved another $34 billion for the ongoing war in Afghanistan that adds to the national debt. That bill originally contained $10 billion to save 100,000 teacher jobs around the country, $1 billion for summer youth employment, $5 billion for Pell grants and $701 million for border security — all of it offset by closing tax loopholes and through other measures — but those funds were stripped by the Senate.

Rep. Grijalva believes that Congress’ first obligation is to the working people of the United States. He co-sponsors the Local Jobs for America Act, which would put about one million people to work in positions that directly benefit local communities, and has pushed tirelessly against continuing to fund two wars abroad at taxpayer expense when we’re already tapped out at home. He’s been pushing productive jobs measures and seen positive results for Southern Arizona, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s $63 million for Tucson’s new light rail system to the recent announcement of the world’s largest solar plant being built near Gila Bend thanks to a federally guaranteed loan.

It’s going to take a lot of work to get the American economy back on track, and Rep. Grijalva believes Congress needs to start right away. We need to keep teachers in the classroom, cops and firefighters on the streets, and first responders protecting our neighborhoods. We also need to build a green infrastructure that not only gets people working but lays the foundation of a new, sustainable economy for the future. It’s time for Washington to hear Arizona and the rest of the country and approve the bills that can make this happen.