Jan Schakowsky Q & A

1) What is the No. 1 issue in your district and how would you address it?

EROSION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM

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I have co-sponsored “Foreclosure Workshops” in my district, attended by individuals who can meet with housing counselors, lenders, and experts.  It is there that I have painfully witnessed the desperation and the disintegration of the middle class, the loss of hope and home.  There are several food pantries in the 9th District, and they are bursting at the seams with families, senior citizens, unemployed and underemployed workers, and people who used to donate to the pantry and are now standing in line.  I have talked with parents, ashamed and angry that they can’t help their children afford a college education, and college graduates who have huge debt and no job.  The constituent advocates in my district offices have seen a dramatic increase in the severity of the situations faced by people of all walks of life in our community.

 I am running for reelection because I want to reignite the American Dream and rebuild the ladders of opportunity that used to be there for Americans to reach secure middle class status.    Today, income inequality in the United States is at levels that we haven’t seen since 1928.  Between 1979 and 2008, annual income for the wealthiest 1% of Americans grew by $1.1 trillion, while the annual income for the bottom 90% declined.  More importantly, income immobility has increased. Today, a person born into the bottom fifth of incomes has only about a 50/50 chance of moving up the economic ladder – a worse opportunity than in Britain, Canada and other countries. For the first time, Americans believe that their children will be worse off economically than they have been.  As Alan Krueger, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers warned this month, “inequality in incomes is causing an unhealthy division in opportunities, and is a threat to our economic growth.” 

This means that we need to be aggressive in creating good jobs – jobs that provide adequate pay and benefits.  We need to make sure that children get the opportunities that are being lost – by expanding access to quality education and health care.  We need to stop the housing foreclosure crisis that threatens so many families.  And we need to protect Social Security’s and Medicare’s earned benefits.

We need to restore the vision of America – that anyone who works hard and plays by the rules can succeed and leave the next generation better off.

2) How would you promote job growth in your district?

8 million American workers lost their jobs in the Great Recession.  Now, the economy is headed in the right direction, having added private sector jobs in each of the last 22 months – nearly 2 million last year alone – but we still have a long way to go and need an aggressive, job creation strategy.

First, we should stop using taxpayer dollars to subsidize companies that outsource American jobs and use overseas tax shelters to avoid taxation.  Last March, I reintroduced the Patriot Corporations of America Act to provide preference in federal contracts and lower tax rates for American companies that produce at least 90% of goods and services and conduct at least 50% of their R&D in the United States.  It would pay for this by eliminating tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs and profits.  This notion was highlighted in the President’s State of the Union Address in which he said, “It’s time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America.

Second, we need to put people back to work immediately, and government can do that.  The President introduced the American Jobs Act, a proposal to rebuild our infrastructure, fix up our schools buildings, hire teachers and first responders and put 2 million people to work.  I introduced a similar bill, much of which was incorporated into the American Jobs Act.  Our transportation and infrastructure systems, from highways to waterways to railways and bridges, represent a critical aspect of the American economy -- yet we’ve fallen behind in infrastructure investment and consistently received a “D” grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers.  Those investments would create jobs, spur economic growth and rebuild our infrastructure so we can compete in the 21st century global marketplace.  I support a robust, long-term federal highway bill, which we are debating right now, that will provide needed funding to improve our roadways, mass transit and rail system and many thousands of good jobs.

Third, we need to create 21st century jobs.  I am working with businesses, educators, representatives of our national labs and local officials to expand technological innovation – like that seen at the Skokie Science and Technology Park.  Some of the most important research on battery technology is being conducted by Northwestern and the University of Illinois in participation with Argonne National Laboratory, which will translate into many billions of dollars of commercial business and carbon reduction.  I am also a strong supporter of renewable energy.  The wind industry could employ as many as 500,000 employees by the year 2030.  The Federal Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) has helped the clean energy sector grow.  For example, wind energy provided 35 percent of new power capacity in the U.S. over the past four years and now produces enough energy to supply 10 million homes.  The PTC is set to expire at the end of this year, and orders are already down and layoffs have begun.  I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3307, to extend the Production Tax Credit for four years and continue the smart investments made to stimulate job growth and clean energy.

Fourth, we need to retool our education system to meet the demands of the 21st century workplace that will make us competitive in the global economy.  I am working with educators, local elected officials, entrepreneurs and the larger business community to make that happen.  Education at all levels from pre-school through advanced degrees needs to be more affordable and geared to fostering individual success as well as national goals.

3) Should the federal government cut spending and where?

The short answer is yes, but the real questions are how do we get our fiscal house in order and how do we restore our economy to health.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has identified three major causes for our current debt and deficits:  the unfunded Bush tax cuts, the unfunded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Great Recession.  I believe that there are three key steps to take to achieve fiscal balance while protecting the middle-class – both those in it and those who aspire to it, helping American businesses succeed, and keeping our country strong.

First, we need to create good jobs and promote economic growth.  Spending cuts that create unemployment simply add to our fiscal problems.  Slashing needed investments in education, transportation and infrastructure, and cutting-edge innovation will have both immediate and long-term consequences, undermining our ability to remain an economic leader in the 21st century. 

Second, we need to cut unnecessary spending, including spending on outdated and ineffective weapons systems.  We need to improve government procurement efforts to get the most value for our dollars and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse wherever it occurs. 

Third, we need to reform our tax code to be simple, fair and to raise sufficient revenues to fund national priorities.  Federal revenues are at their lowest levels in 60 years, which prevents us from making needed investments.   To achieve necessary revenues, we should ask those who can contribute more to do so.  I believe we should eliminate tax breaks for companies that outsource jobs overseas and for oil companies and other highly-profitable corporations that do not need taxpayer assistance. 

As a member of the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, I put forward my own proposal to achieve primary budget balance by FY2015 (link).  My plan included $200 billion in job creation investments over two years (including infrastructure, education, domestic manufacturing and green jobs initiatives); cuts in defense, non-defense and mandatory spending; and additional revenues.  I have also introduced H.R. 1124, the Fairness in Taxation Act (link), which would raise more than $800 billion by creating new tax brackets for income over $ 1million, starting at 45% and rising to 49% for income over $1 billion.

4) If Republican, which GOP presidential candidate do you support?

N/A

5) Give an example of something you’ve done that is bipartisanship in nature.

As a member of the President’s Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, I worked with Republican Senator Tom Coburn to call for smart, common-sense reductions to the defense budget.  Although we didn’t always agree where the cuts should come from, we shared a conviction that military spending should not be exempt from scrutiny in these difficult fiscal times.  On the commission, we worked together to identify places where the defense budget could be reduced without harming our national security, pinpointing wasteful spending and discussing ways we can work to ensure that our defense dollars are being used as effectively as possible.

I later offered an amendment to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, based closely off a proposal that Senator Coburn put before the Fiscal Commission, requiring the Pentagon to pass an audit.

6) Name one good policy idea that comes from the opposing party.

An initiative first launched by President George W. Bush, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is a great example of an opposing party’s policy idea that I have embraced and consistently supported.  PEPFAR plays a pivotal role in the provision of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care efforts – with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes and strengthening health systems. 

PEPFAR funding has made a significant difference.  In Fiscal Year 2011, PEPFAR directly supported HIV counseling and testing for more than 40 million people, provided care and support to nearly 13 million people, including over 4 million orphans and vulnerable children, and directly supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for more than 3.9 million men, women and children.  The United States has a responsibility to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS by containing the spread of the virus, helping to provide treatment, and investing in a cure.  It is critical that we continue to meet that responsibility. 

7) How do you define family values?

As a proud citizen of this great country, and as a proud member of the United States Congress, I think about family as the American family, a large and diverse family in which we all do better when we each do better.  I was moved by the President’s inspiring words: “Our destiny is stitched together like those fifty stars and those thirteen stripes…This Nation is great because we worked as a team.  This nation is great because we get each other’s backs…As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful…”

This deeply held belief of mine in the American family guides my actions in Congress.  I believe that everyone is part of this family regardless of their sexual orientation – thus I support marriage equality; regardless of their income – thus I promote investments in health care, education, housing and nutrition for all as well as poverty reducing programs; regardless of immigration status – thus I support comprehensive immigration reform and the Dream Act; regardless of age or disability – thus I am fighting to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security; regardless of race or gender or religion – thus I am a great supporter of civil rights and civil liberties.  

8) What are your thoughts on the healthcare law?

I am working to ensure that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not repealed.  The Affordable Care Act solves many of the problems that my constituents face in obtaining comprehensive, affordable and quality care for themselves and their families.  

While the law is still being fully implemented, there are already meaningful provisions in place that will stop insurance company abuses that place access to needed medical care out of reach:

  • Insurance companies can no longer drop people when they get sick and need it most;
  • Children with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage;
  • Being a woman will no longer be considered a pre-existing condition, pregnant women, victims of domestic violence, and breast cancer survivors cannot be denied coverage;
  • Free access to preventive services such as mammograms, routine vaccinations, and diabetes tests
  • The doughnut hole – the gap in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage – is on its way to being closed; and
  • Children up to age 26 can stay on their parents’ policies.

In 2014, over 30 million uninsured Americans will receive coverage through new Exchanges and through Medicaid expansions.  Those already insured will receive new protections – including caps on lifetime and annual benefits that leave families with large medical bills.  The new law will bring down health care costs, invest in prevention and wellness, and give individuals and families more control over their own care. The new law includes provisions I authored to improve long-term care quality and staffing.  It also improves quality of care and expands the health care workforce so that there are adequate numbers of well-trained professionals to meet growing needs.

While we will continue to improve the law – working with patients and providers – I am working specifically on three improvements.

First, I support inclusion of a public option in the Exchange – a publicly accountable choice that, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, would save $88 billion over 10 years.

Second, I worked successfully to include provisions in the Affordable Care Act to require that health insurance companies disclose and publicly justify unreasonable premium increases. Unfortunately, the law does not give HHS the ability to stop increases from taking effect in the 24 states, including Illinois, that lack rate modification authority.  I have introduced H.R. 416, the Health Insurance Rate Review Act, which would give HHS the authority to regulate rates in the states that currently lack that authority. 

Third, while the Affordable Care Act is a significant step forward on the path to health equity, much work remains to address existing disparities and to ensure that all communities have equal access to a healthier future.  For that reason, I am a cosponsor of the Health Equity and Accountability Act, which complements and builds on the health equality efforts included in the Affordable Care Act.

9) Who is your political role model?

Nancy Pelosi is my friend and my political role model.  She combines idealism and rock solid core values with clear-eyed practicality and unmatched organizing skills.  She is an inspiring leader in our Democratic caucus, willing to listen with unfailing patience to the voice of each and every member, and then able to move the caucus forward with unprecedented unity.  Without the steel will and skill of Nancy Pelosi, there would be no historic Affordable Care Act, or many other progressive laws that have been passed in recent years. 

10) What’s on your iPod?

I have lots of Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles.  Other favorites include Nina Simone, Bonnie Raitt, Rufus Wainwright, Diana Krall, Carol King and James Taylor, Billy Holiday, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, and some Motown hits.

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