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Joint Economic Committee Democrats Chairman - Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

Reports & Issue Briefs

Jul 18 2018

Why the Fed Matters

The Federal Reserve (Fed) plays a critical, but largely hidden, role in the day-to-day life of every family in America. When you fill up your gas tank and stock up on groceries for the week, the prices you see are in part shaped by the Fed’s policies. When you cut your landlord a rent check each month, the Fed’s payment services help ensure your check clears on time. And when you’re finally ready to buy your first home, the Fed influences the mortgage rates you’re offered and even whether you’re likely to have a steady and well-paying job to afford that mortgage. From our most basic daily transactions to our most important financial decisions, the Fed has a tremendous impact on the economic livelihoods of Main Street and Wall Street alike.

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 12 2018

The Economic State of Women in the United States

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the current economic state of women in the United States. It includes measures of economic well-being, such as income and poverty rates, as well as data on educational attainment, labor force participation, and health insurance rates. Together, these measures help paint a portrait of women’s economic health in 2018.

May 21 2018

May 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.

May 15 2018

The Economic State of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States

This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the current economic state of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. It includes measures of economic well-being, such as income and poverty rates, as well as data on educational attainment, unemployment, and health insurance rates. Together, these measures help paint a portrait of the AAPI community’s economic health while demonstrating that headlines often mask variation within the group.

May 10 2018

Medicaid: Supporting the Economy and Middle Class Since 1965

Before Medicaid, many Americans couldn’t afford the care they needed. For more than 50 years, the Medicaid program has guaranteed access to comprehensive health insurance for millions of people, providing coverage to over 72 million beneficiaries today. In doing so, Medicaid has bolstered the U.S. economy and provided an important backstop to the country’s economic security.

Apr 27 2018

April 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.

Apr 26 2018

Social Security: A Promise to American Workers and Families

As life expectancy has increased over the past half century, Americans are living longer today during retirement than their parents did. Social Security is the economic backbone to millions of Americans, many of whom use it to better support themselves in retirement, and to millions of workers who have become disabled as well as their families. Social Security’s support is proof that we are committed to protecting and supporting workers when they leave the job.