WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) announced he’s working on a plan to rebuild the middle class. He is sharing his framework for the plan and inviting the public to share their ideas.

“I’m committed to building an economy that works for working people. That means bringing down costs. It also means addressing the other side of affordability: wage stagnation and unemployment,” said Senator Gallego. “I’ve got a lot of ideas – doubling unionization levels, exploring sectoral bargaining, creating a New Deal-style federal jobs program – but I also know there are many more good ideas out there. That’s why I’m asking for feedback, so that we can put together a plan that truly addresses the problems hardworking Americans are facing.”

In a memorandum announcing the framework, Senator Gallego lays out five pillars for rebuilding the middle class:

  1. Raise Wages and Improve Benefits: Workers should get to share in the wealth they help create.
  2. Create and Protect Quality Blue Collar Jobs: The federal government should double down on goal-oriented industrial policy and antitrust enforcement while discouraging offshoring, automation, and financial engineering.
  3. Restore Worker Trust in Government: As AI and new technologies continue to develop, the government should have workers’ backs.
  4. Expand Job-Creating Entrepreneurship, Focusing Outside of Superstar Cities: Good ideas don’t just happen in New York and LA, and new business and jobs shouldn’t be limited to those cities, either.
  5. Help Workers Find Jobs Faster: Job seekers, especially first-time seekers, feel increasingly lost in the process. There needs to be clearer job application rules and more direct paths to work.

Read the full memorandum HERE.

The framework is just a starting point, and Senator Gallego is seeking feedback to incorporate into his final plan. Provide feedback HERE.

Senator Gallego has been a leading voice on affordability-focused policy proposals. In January, he rolled out his plan to tackle America’s housing affordability crisis. Last year, he unveiled his vision for America’s energy future, taking an all-of-the-above approach with an eye to ensuring future investments are focused on the most affordable, reliable, and efficient forms of energy.