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Joint Economic Committee Democrats

Publications

Jul 09 2018

People Who Did Not Qualify for Premium Tax Credits Dropped Coverage as Health Premiums Spiked

The consequences of Republicans’ sabotage of the Affordable Care Act marketplaces continue to pile up. In just the latest example, about 1 million Americans were priced out of the individual health insurance market last year. Average monthly enrollment among people who did not receive advance premium tax credit (APTC) subsidies fell by 20 percent between 2016 and 2017, just as average monthly premiums increased by 21 percent. By contrast, individual plan enrollment among individuals who qualified for APTC subsidies fell by 3 percent. While the administration concludes that the spike in premiums drove people out of the market, President Trump and congressional Republicans are doubling down on efforts to further destabilize markets, raise premiums, and eliminate coverage for millions of Americans.

Jun 25 2018

Employment in Rural America is Still Below Prerecession Levels

Many rural communities continue to struggle with the aftermath of the Great Recession. Total employment in nonmetro areas is still below its prerecession level. Last week, the Joint Economic Committee Democrats released a report examining the challenges and opportunities that rural America faces. After a year and a half of Trump administration actions that have hurt rural Americans, the report proposes a policy agenda that would lead to rural economic progress.

Jun 21 2018

Separating Families Has Lasting Consequences

When provided the opportunity, refugees become key contributors to the nation’s economic vitality. International research has shown that refugees enter the workforce, boost native-born workers’ wages, and increase job opportunities. Instead of welcoming these new American families into the social and economic fabric of our nation, the Trump administration is tearing them apart.

Jun 21 2018

JEC Dems Call for Investments in Rural America

Yesterday, Joint Economic Committee Democrats, under the leadership of Ranking Member Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), unveiled a new report that takes an extensive look at “Investing in Rural America,” and proposes policies to revitalize these communities that have not yet recovered from the Great Recession. Here is a look at some of the report’s coverage:

Jun 20 2018

Investing in Rural America

Rural Americans make up 14 percent of those living in the United States, while 72 percent of the nation’s total land areas are considered rural. These 46 million residents play an essential role in the overall economy, starting new businesses, and supplying many of our agricultural products.

Jun 19 2018

June Economic Snapshot of the States

Although the U.S. economy overall continues its expansion following the Great Recession and associated financial crisis, the recovery can look very different from state to state. The lion’s share of economic gains are not only concentrated at the top of the income and wealth distribution, but also in a small share of regions. While some parts of the country have surged ahead, millions of Americans in urban and rural communities are still waiting for their wages to start rising again and struggling to make ends meet.

Jun 19 2018

Republicans Fail Rural America

Over the last 18 months, the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans have turned their backs on rural Americans. While the poverty rate in rural areas is more than 3 percentage points higher than in metropolitan areas, Republicans have avoided addressing the economic challenges facing rural communities. Rather than put forth real solutions, Republicans worked to strip health care coverage for rural families, endanger farm household incomes, and take away nutrition assistance for the neediest of families.

Jun 19 2018

Investing in Rural America Chart Book

The tables and graphics in this chart book are detailed state-by-state analysis of data and topics found in JEC Dems “Investing in Rural America” report. These graphics provide quick figures on urban, rural, and statewide numbers, highlighting the complexity of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.