Is Senator Webb Standing With His Unemployed Constituents or With Rep. Can'tor?

by: VirginiaOrganizing

Wed Oct 12, 2011 at 15:45:39 PM EDT

Senator Webb’s opposition to the American Jobs Act comes on the heels of a new report from the Commonwealth Institute on the state of working Virginia revealing the wealth gap between rich and poor in Virginia is the highest in 30 years, and the second largest in the nation. The President's jobs plan would help narrow the growing income gap by creating middle class jobs and strengthening the economy. The American Jobs Act includes tax credit for companies that hire new workers, investments in the nation's infrastructure, and tax credits to businesses hiring out-of-work veterans.

"A vote against the American Jobs Act is a vote to lay off 10,800 Virginia teachers, leave our veterans without jobs, and to continue the corrosion of our infrastructure by passing up hiring 16,000 Virginia construction workers. We are disappointed that Senator Webb joined obstructionists like Rep Cantor, by opposing the American Jobs Act," said Sandra Cook, Chairperson of Virginia Organizing.

Virginia Organizing joined unemployed Virginians in expressing frustration over Senator Webb’s refusal to support the legislation in its current form."At age 58, I was looking forward to retirement at 62 after a long life of work. I started working when I was 16 and have not been unemployed a day in my life until recently.  I started my employment bagging groceries and I worked myself up into a strong management position with one of the world’s largest employees in aerospace. I was a systems engineer and project manager managing hundreds of millions in contract value. Now I find myself in a reduction in force (RIF) in favor of younger employees, with my 401K taking a major hit after Wall Street and the big banks robbed all of our retirements out from under us,” said Rick Gallaher of Falls Church.  

The American Jobs Act contains a provision, which would prohibit employers from discriminating against the unemployed, a widespread nefarious practice that Rick Gallaher has experienced. “I have learned by experience that if you have been out of work for more than sixty days many recruiters  throw away your resume, especially if you are 58 years old,” added Gallaher. “More older Americans are unemployed today than any time on our history. Lawmakers like Senator Webb are flat out wrong if they oppose legislation like the American Jobs Act which would put people back to work.”