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Joint Economic Committee Democrats

Issue Briefs

Apr 04 2024

Electrifying Heavy-Duty Vehicles Will Benefit the U.S. Economy, Environment, and Public Health

Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) like large trucks, buses, and tractor trailers are an important mode of transportation for people and products throughout the United States, but they are also among the highest emitters of harmful pollution. Though only 1 in 10 on-road vehicles is an HDV, they account for over half of the particulate matter pollution produced by the vehicle transportation sector and a significant share of other harmful emissions.

This problem presents an important opportunity to invest in the health of our families, environment, and economy by replacing inefficient, high-polluting, diesel-powered HDVs with clean heavy-duty electric vehicles (HDEVs) throughout our transportation systems. States like California and New Mexico are already taking bold action by setting strong state-level regulations that support HDEVs, and Democrats in Congress and the Biden Administration have taken pivotal steps to accelerate HDEV adoption and strengthen charging infrastructure. The recently announced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules for HDV emissions represent an important positive step towards bolstering our economy, public health, and environment. Quick implementation of these rules and other policies will benefit our communities and turbocharge the adoption of HDEVs.

Apr 03 2024

Hay que Aumentar los Ingresos para Enfrentar la Trayectoria de la Deuda de los Estados Unidos

Los Estados Unidos no tiene un problema de gastos excesivos; tiene un problema de ingresos insuficientes. Los recortes tributarios establecidos por los republicanos para beneficio de los ricos han reducido los ingresos y elevado la deuda nacional. A pesar de esto, los republicanos insisten en reducir aún más programas sociales esenciales, lo que dañaría a millones de estadounidenses y haría poco para restaurar el equilibrio fiscal del país.

Los Estados Unidos debe disminuir el déficit, pero no a expensas de los trabajadores estadunidenses. El déficit podría y debería reducirse eliminando las lagunas fiscales que favorecen a los más ricos y persiguiendo a evasores de impuestos, tanto individuos de alto patrimonio como grandes corporaciones--medios que requieren mantener el financiamiento del Servicio de Rentas Internas (IRS por sus siglas en inglés). El próximo año presenta una oportunidad crítica para que el Congreso encamine al país hacia una senda fiscal adecuada, permitiendo que caduquen ciertas disposiciones de la reforma tributaria republicana de 2017.

Mar 22 2024

Preserving the Affordable Connectivity Program is Crucial for Continued American Success

In 2021, the Biden Administration and Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that appropriated $14.2 billion to establish the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has now helped over 23 million households sign up for discounted broadband internet. Internet connectivity leads to better economic outcomes, and the ACP was especially important in bringing affordable internet to residents of rural and tribal areas, people of color, low-income communities, and seniors who otherwise have a hard time affording high-speed internet.

Mar 18 2024

Los Demócratas Se Enfrentan Con La Avaricia Corporativa y Luchan Por Las Familias Estadounidenses

Los datos indican que, durante el reciente periodo de inflación, las grandes empresas se beneficiaron de manera anormal al aumentar los precios. Normalmente, las ganancias de las empresas solo representan el 13% de los aumentos de precios. Sin embargo, entre abril de 2020 y diciembre de 2021, las ganancias de las empresas representaron el 54% del aumento de precios, y se mantuvieron por encima de niveles normales durante 2022. El aumento de las ganancias fue especialmente marcado en las empresas más grandes, cuyos márgenes se dispararon y mantuvieron altos después de abril de 2020.

Mar 15 2024

Modernizing Benefit Systems Can Improve Lives While Also Saving Time and Money

Americans deserve local, state, and federal governments that efficiently and reliably respond to the needs of their communities. This includes providing the safety net programs that are vital for many Americans, helping families make ends meet and delivering long-term positive impacts on their health and economic well-being. Unfortunately, many Americans do not receive some or all of the benefits they qualify for, and an estimated $140 billion in federal benefits goes unclaimed each year. Policy innovations and investments in technology are helping state and federal policymakers create a more accessible and efficient social safety net. These innovations save both families and the government time and money, while making sure that people get the benefits they qualify for.