Ivanka Fights For Working Families – Socialism Would Destroy Them

In Stark Contrast To Nay-Sayers, Like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ivanka Trump Has Worked To Provide Tax Relief And High Paying Jobs For Working Families

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TOP TAKEAWAYS

• Ivanka Trump helped create an initiative on workforce development that pledged on-the-job training for 6.5 million Americans and expanded the federally funded apprenticeship program.
  • These programs are particularly important to low-income parents, who often cannot afford school expenses or struggle to juggle work, school and caring for their children.
• Instead of helping low-income parents secure the well-paying jobs they deserve, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has proposed legislation rejected by unions because it promises to kill more than a million jobs.
• When she's not proposing job killing legislation in Congress Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is "celebrating" her role in killing more than 100,000 jobs back home in New York.
• Ivanka Trump has worked to promote paid family leave, and successfully championed a 100% increase in the child tax credit that made the credit "more generous for low-income families."
• In a stark contrast, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has proposed legislation that would require extreme taxes on middle-class families.

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AS JOB GROWTH SOARS, IVANKA TRUMP HAS TAKEN STEPS TO ENSURE THAT ALL AMERICANS CAN TAKE PART IN THE BOOMING ECONOMY

Ivanka Trump Helped Create An Initiative On Workforce Development That Pledged On-The-Job Training For 6.5 Million Americans And Expanded The Federally Funded Apprenticeship Program

Ivanka Trump Was Behind A White House Program To Create Jobs With On-The-Job Training, Provide Apprenticeship Programs And Invest In Education. "Ivanka Trump is helping the White House launch a new program Thursday intended to beef up training and education for American workers as the U.S. contends with an economy increasingly shifting from manufacturing to the service and technology industries. In an interview with Joe Kernen on CNBC's 'Squawk Box,' the senior White House advisor and elder daughter to President Donald Trump stressed the need for workers in the middle and later stages of their careers to have access to training that will help them transition to new jobs. 'We also have to be thinking about the mid- to late-career worker, who needs to be re-trained and re-skilled,' she said. 'As a country, by and large, all investment in education stops at the age of 25, and that doesn't work in such a fast-changing, increasingly digital economy.'" (Mike Calia, "Ivanka Trump: We Are Pushing For More Education For Mid- And Late-Career Workers," CNBC , 7/19/19)

As Part Of The Initiative, President Trump Signed An Executive Order On Workforce Development That Establishes The National Council For The American Worker, Which Will Develop A "National Strategy To Train Americans For The Skills They Need To Fill Open Jobs Now And In The Future." "The executive order also establishes the National Council for the American Worker, which will consist of cabinet members and senior White House officials. They are charged with developing a national strategy to train Americans for the skills they need to fill open jobs now and in the future. The order also created the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board that will bring together governors with business executives and educators." (Katie Lobosco, "Employers Commit To Train 3.8 Million Workers Under Trump Executive Order," CNN , 7/19/18)

• So Far, 200 Companies Have Signed The Administration's Pledge To America's Workers, Promising To Create More Than 6.5 Million Education, Training And Skill-Building Opportunities Over The Next Five Years. "The White House said 200 companies and associations have signed the administration's Pledge to America's Workers, promising to create more than 6.5 million education, training and skill-building opportunities over the next five years. 'The top priority for companies competing in the digital economy has to be investing in people,' said Barbara Humpton, the chief executive officer of Siemens USA, a member of the board." (Margaret Talev, "Wilbur Ross, Ivanka Trump Introduce Workforce Advisory Board," Bloomberg , 2/13/19)

The Initiative Expanded The Federally Funded Apprenticeship Program So That Employees Can Learn On The Job. "Mr. Trump's action comes in the form of an executive order expanding federally funded apprenticeship programs. The order would create a category of programs that industry groups and other third parties could develop and then submit for Labor Department approval, rather than working within existing department guidelines. 'Apprenticeships place students into great jobs without the crippling debt of traditional four-year college degrees,' Mr. Trump said. 'Instead apprentices earn while they learn.'" (Noam Scheiber, "Trump Move On Job Training Brings 'Skills Gap' Debate To The Fore," The New York Times , 6/15/17)

• By Expanding Apprenticeship Programs, The White House Took A "Concrete" Step Towards Addressing "The Employment Prospects Of Workers Left Behind By The Current Economic Expansion." " President Trump is taking one of the most concrete steps of his presidency on Thursday to address the employment prospects of workers left behind by the current economic expansion. In doing so, he also joins a long-running and occasionally contentious debate over whether those workers have the skills they need to land desirable jobs." (Noam Scheiber, "Trump Move On Job Training Brings 'Skills Gap' Debate To The Fore," The New York Times , 6/15/17)

These Programs Are Particularly Important To Low-Income Workers And Parents, Who Often Cannot Afford School Expenses Or Juggle Work, School And Caring For Their Children

Gary Burtless, An Economist With The Brookings Institution, Said That A Portion Of Job Vacancies Are "Unquestionably Due To The Skills Gap" And That In Many Cases This Skills Barrier Can Be Overcome With On The Job Training. "On the one hand, 'some of the current job vacancies are unquestionably due to the skills gap,' said Gary Burtless, an economist with the Brookings Institution. 'If job-seeking jobless workers and promotion-seeking but under-employed workers had exactly the right skills, many of the current job vacancies could be filled faster.' At the same time, for many job openings, the barrier isn't necessarily the lack of a college degree or specialized training, he said. In many cases, the 'barrier' can be overcome with on-the-job training and experience." (Louis Jacobson, "Ivanka Trump Right About Role Of 'Skills Gap' In Unfilled Jobs," Politifact , 6/16/17)

"Education And Training Programs Can Help Low-Income Parents Improve Their Skills And Move Up To Better-Paying Jobs" But Paying For These Programs In Addition To Childcare Can Often Be Challenging For Working Class Families. "Education and training programs can help low-income parents improve their skills and move up to better-paying jobs, but many families face significant challenges paying for school expenses, juggling work and school, and arranging child care. Knowing more about who these parents are can help shape public policies and programs that support families' work and education efforts." (Lauren Eyster, "Helping Low-Income Parents Move Up Through Education And Training," The Urban Institute , 10/10/14)

WHILE IVANKA TRUMP HAS HELPED LOW-INCOME PARENTS GET THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SECURE WELL-PAYING JOBS, REP. OCASIO-CORTEZ IS DOING HER BEST TO KILL THOSE JOBS

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Proposed A Green New Deal That Would Eliminate More Than A Million Jobs Nationwide And Was Rejected By Labor Unions

Labor Unions Are Withholding Support For The Green New Deal, Arguing That The "Loosely-Defined" Plan Could Kill Jobs. "Labor unions say they are withholding support for a Green New Deal unveiled by Democrats last week to transition the American economy away from fossil fuels, arguing the loosely-defined plan could kill jobs if its architects aren't careful." (Valerie Volcovici, "Labor Unions Fear Democrats' Green New Deal Poses Job Threat," Reuters , 2/12/19)

Union Officials Are Skeptical Of The Language In The Green New Deal Calling For A "Just Transition" For Workers Involved In "The Job Losses That Will Surely Come From Some Of The Policies In The Resolution." "Union officials told Reuters they were skeptical. 'We will never settle for 'just transition' language as a solution to the job losses that will surely come from some of the policies in the resolution,' said Yvette Pena O'Sullivan, executive director of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), whose members work in construction and other industries." (Valerie Volcovici, "Labor Unions Fear Democrats' Green New Deal Poses Job Threat," Reuters , 2/12/19)

Phil Smith, A Spokesman For The United Mine Workers Echoed That Concern Saying "We've Heard Words Like 'Just Transition' Before, But What Does That Really Mean? Our Members Are Worried About Putting Food On The Table." "Phil Smith, a spokesman for the United Mine Workers (UMWA), which represents workers in the coal industry, echoed the concerns. 'We've heard words like 'just transition' before, but what does that really mean? Our members are worried about putting food on the table,' he said." (Valerie Volcovici, "Labor Unions Fear Democrats' Green New Deal Poses Job Threat," Reuters , 2/12/19)

• Approximately 712,300 Americans Are Employed In Mining Quarrying And Natural Gas Extraction. ( Bureau Of Labor Statistics , Accessed 2/28/19)
• Approximately 116,500 Americans Are Employed In Petroleum And Coal Products Manufacturing. ( Bureau Of Labor Statistics , Accessed 2/28/19)

Sean McGarvey, President Of The North America's Building Trades Unions, Representing Construction Workers Across All Sectors Including Energy Said Workers Are "Skeptical Of 'Green Job' Promises." "LIUNA and UMWA said they were not contacted for input on the resolution before it was released. Sean McGarvey, president of the North America's Building Trades Unions, representing construction workers across all sectors including energy, said his staff had been contacted by Markey's office about the Green New Deal, but said his members are skeptical of 'green job' promises." (Valerie Volcovici, "Labor Unions Fear Democrats' Green New Deal Poses Job Threat," Reuters , 2/12/19)

When She's Not Proposing Job Killing Legislation In Congress Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Is "Celebrating" Her Role In Killing More Than 100,000 Jobs Back Home In New York

Amazon Was Slated To Invest $3.6 Billion To Create 40,000 New Jobs Including 1300 Direct Construction Jobs Annually Through 2033 With An Average Salary Of $150,000. "In 2019, Amazon will occupy up to 500,000 square feet at One Court Square while working to construct four million square feet of commercial space on Long Island City's waterfront over the next 10 years, with expansion opportunities for up to 8 million square feet over the next 15 years. Through a $3.6 billion total investment, Amazon will draw from the diverse and talented workforce in New York State to fill at least 25,000 new jobs by 2029 and up to 40,000 jobs by 2034 with an average salary of $150,000. The construction is expected to create an average of 1300 direct construction jobs annually through 2033." ("Mayor De Blasio and Governor Cuomo Announce Amazon Selects Long Island City For New Corporate Headquarters," NYC1 , 11/13/18)

• Overall, The Project Is Estimated To Create More Than 107,000 Total Direct And Indirect Jobs And Over $27.5 In Tax Revenue Providing A 9:1 Return On Investment. "Overall, the project is estimated to create more than 107,000 total direct and indirect jobs and over $14 billion in new tax revenue for the State and a net of $13.5 billion in City tax revenue. The project provides a 9:1 return on investment." ("Mayor De Blasio and Governor Cuomo Announce Amazon Selects Long Island City For New Corporate Headquarters," NYC1 , 11/13/18)

Amazon Announced Its Withdrawal From New York Saying That Though Polls Show That 70 Percent Of New Yorkers Support The Investment, "A Number Of State And Local Politicians" Have Made It Clear That They Will Not Work With Us To Build The Relationships That Are Required To Go Forward. "'After much thought and deliberation, we've decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens,' an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. 'While polls show that 70 percent of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City,' the statement from Amazon said." (Emily Birnbaum, "Ocasio-Cortez Celebrates Amazon Canceling New York Offices: 'Anything Is Possible,'" The Hill , 2/14/19)

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Celebrated The Demise Of Amazon's Expansion In New York City . "Is the Amazon-New York City split up on Valentine's Day the start of a new trend? Critics of the deal think so. They say it's the beginning of the end of state and local governments showering companies with billions of dollars in tax breaks and other incentives. 'Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon's corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world,' tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after Amazon announced it was walking away from $1.5 billion in incentives it had been promised due to political opposition." (Chris Isidore, "Will Backlash Against Amazon's NYC Tax Breaks Kill Other Deals?," CNN , 2/16/19)

Ocasio-Cortez Represents Parts Of Queens Where The New Headquarters Was Slated For Construction. "Ocasio-Cortez said her future constituents voiced 'outrage' when Amazon first announced that it would be splitting its new North American headquarters between New York and Northern Virginia. The congresswoman, at the time newly elected, now represents parts of Queens, where the new headquarters was slated for construction." (Emily Birnbaum, "Ocasio-Cortez Celebrates Amazon Canceling New York Offices: 'Anything Is Possible,'" The Hill , 2/14/19)

WHILE IVANKA TRUMP IS WORKING TO SECURE RELIEF WORK WORKING FAMILIES, REP. OCASIO-CORTEZ WANTS TO TAX THEM INTO POVERTY

Ivanka Has Been A Leading Voice Pushing To Help Working Mothers In Pursuing Paid Family Leave And Securing Essential Increases In The Child Tax Credit

Ivanka Trump Has Worked With Lawmakers On Capitol Hill And Been A Leading Voice On The Issue Of Paid Family Leave During Her Time At The White House. "Ivanka Trump will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday for a series of meetings on the administration's paid family leave initiative, which appears to be her next major policy push following last week's women's economic empowerment initiative. The daughter and top adviser to the President will meet with Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy, Joni Ernst, Mike Lee and Marco Rubio to 'continue discussions on the issue,' a White House official said. Paid family leave is part of Trump's 'American Working Families' portfolio, which has included other initiatives such as vocational education and workforce development.' 'It's encouraging to see members on both sides of the aisle putting forward paid family leave proposals. Twenty-five years after FMLA was passed we finally have bipartisan agreement on the importance of paid leave for working parents. Now we are seeking to build consensus around policy that can garner enough votes to be passed into law,' Trump said in a statement. This is something she's been working on with members of Congress and private sector leaders behind the scenes during her two years at the White House, with some tangible progress to date, including a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee led by Cassidy last year." (Betsy Klein and Sunlen, "Ivanka Trump's Next Policy Push: Paid Family Leave," CNN , 2/13/19)

Ivanka Trump's Plan Would "Solve The Persistent Gender And Minority Pay Gap That Exists In Part Because Of Prolonged Periods Away From The Workforce." "In her Wall Street Journal op-ed, Trump wrote that her plan would '[solve] the persistent gender and minority pay gap that exists in part because of prolonged periods away from the workforce and challenges with re-entry.'" (Kavitha George, "Ivanka Trump's Paid Family Leave Plan Is Moving Forward - Here's What's Next," Bustle , 7/3/18)

The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Expanded The Child Tax Credit From $1,000 Per Child To A Maximum Of $2,000 Per Child. "The current child tax credit is $1,000 per child. The House and Senate bills expanded the child tax credit, with the Senate going up to a maximum of $2,000 per child. The final bill keeps the $2,000-per-child credit (families making up to about $400,000 get to take the credit)." (Heather Long, "The Final GOP Tax Bill Is Complete. Here's What Is In It," The Washington Post , 12/15/17)

• The Bill Also Expands The Refundable Portion Of The Child Tax Credit, Meaning That Families That Don't Earn Enough To Owe Federal Income Tax Will Receive A Check From The Government For Up To $1,400 . "It also makes more of the tax credit refundable, meaning families that work but don't earn enough to actually owe any federal income taxes will get a large check back from the government. Benefits for those families were initially limited to about $1,100, but through changes Rubio and Lee pushed for, it's now up to $1,400." (Heather Long, "The Final GOP Tax Bill Is Complete. Here's What Is In It," The Washington Post , 12/15/17)
• The Bill Makes The Child Tax Credit "More Generous For Low-Income Families." "Thanks to a late push by Rubio and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), the child tax credit would be more generous for low-income families and the working class." (Heather Long, "The Final GOP Tax Bill Is Complete. Here's What Is In It," The Washington Post , 12/15/17)

In 2016, The Child Tax Credit, Combined With Other Refundable Credits, Lifted 8.2 Million Americans Out Of Poverty According To The U.S. Census Bureau Report On Poverty. "The CTC and EITC have also done exactly what they were intended to do: lift millions of people out of poverty. The latest report on poverty in America from the U.S. Census Bureau came out last week. It showed that refundable tax credits lifted 8.2 million Americans out of poverty in 2016, making the credits the second-best poverty reduction program in the United States after only Social Security." (Heather Long, "The Simple Way To Tell Whether Trump's Tax Plan Is For The 'Little Guy' Or The 1 Percent," The Washington Post , 9/19/17)

Research From The Center On Budget And Policy Priorities Suggests The Child Tax Credit Leads To Improved Educational Outcomes For Young Children In Low-Income Households. "Moreover, research suggests that income from the EITC and CTC leads to improved educational outcomes for young children in low-income households. For each $1,000 increase in annual income over two to five years, children's school performance improves on a variety of measures, including academic test scores. A credit that's worth about $3,000 (in 2005 dollars) during a child's early years may boost his or her achievement by the equivalent of about two extra months of schooling." (Chuck Marr, Chye-Ching Huang, Arloc Sherman, and Brandon Debot, "EITC And Child Tax Credit Promote Work, Reduce Poverty, And Support Children's Development, Research Finds," Center On Budget And Policy Priorities , 10/1/15)

Ivanka Trump's Expanded Child Tax Credit Was Widely Applauded By The Media, And Popular with Democrats

Politico Headline: "Ivanka Trump Scores Win With Senate Plan To Double Child Tax Credit." (Nancy Cook, "Ivanka Trump Scores Win With Senate Plan To Double Child Tax Credit," Politico , 11/15/17)

ABC News Headline: "Ivanka Trump Clinches Quiet Political Victory With Tax Provision In GOP Bill." (Jordyn Phelps, "Ivanka Trump Clinches Quiet Political Victory With Tax Provision In GOP Bill," ABC News , 12/21/17)

USA Today Headline: "Ivanka Trump Used Her Charm To Sell An Expanded Child Tax Credit, And It's Working." (Eliza Collins, "Ivanka Trump Used Her Charm To Sell An Expanded Child Tax Credit, And It's Working," USA Today , 11/3/17)

The Washington Post : Refundable Credits Like The Child Tax Credit Are Popular And Enjoy Bipartisan Support Because They "Reward Work And Alleviate Poverty." "Refundable tax credits like the CTC and EITC have enjoyed bipartisan support in the past because they reward work and alleviate poverty. People only get the money back on their taxes if they have a job and earned some money that year." (Heather Long, "The Simple Way To Tell Whether Trump's Tax Plan Is For The 'Little Guy' Or The 1 Percent," The Washington Post , 9/19/17)

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Said That Deductions Like The Child Tax Credit "Are The Ones That Middle-Class Families Depend On." SEN PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): "Those are the ones that middle-class families depend on and the ones they benefit from the most. Like the personal and dependent exemptions, deductions for your home mortgage, charitable contributions, state taxes, local taxes, child tax credit, college tuition credit." (Sen. Patty Murray, Remarks On The Senate Floor , Washington DC, 9/19/12)

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Said, "The Child Tax Credit Is One Of Our Most Important Programs To Reduce Child Poverty." SEN MAZIE HIRONO (D-HI): "The right approach. The Child Tax Credit is one of our most important programs to reduce child poverty. Tens of millions of families claim the Child Tax Credit each year, more than 35 million families in 2009, both using social security numbers and individual taxpayer identification numbers. According to the Congressional Research Service, the Child Tax Credit reduces child poverty by approximately one fifth. For such an important and widely used program as this, we should be careful that any changes we make to the program does not harm low-income children and working families."(Sen. Mazie Hirono, Remarks On The Senate Floor , Washington DC, 1/14/14)

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Spoke For Refundable Credits Including The Child Tax Credit Saying That Without Them "More Than Fifty Million Low-Income Americans - Including 25 Million Children - Could See Sharp Cuts In Their Income." "Critical parts of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), tax credits that boost wages for low - and moderate - income working families, are set to expire soon. If they are not renewed, more than fifty million low-income Americans - including 25 million children - could see sharp cuts in their income, making it more difficult to make ends meet and, for some, triggering a fall into poverty." (Press Release, "Benefits Of Preserving And Extending Tax Credits For Families," Sen. Elizabeth Warren , 12/3/15)

Rep. Pelosi Spoke At A Press Conference In Favor Of Expanding The Child Tax Credit And Said Expanding The Credit Was "It's A Matter Of Principle." HOUSE MINORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): "I am pleased to join you for this part of your dugout to talk about the expansion of the child tax credit as you may have already announced the leader and I sent a letter to the President today expressing along with a course of religious and civic leaders around the country the support for the Senate passed legislation. Very concerned about news reports today that there is no time to deal with this that it will be put off until later, that it is a logistical problem, that it's a timing problem. It's a matter of principle and it's a principle that's not being upheld and that's of fairness in our country because of this logistics and time delays and lack of will on the part of the conference as you know 12 million children in our country will not have the benefit of the tax credit expansion." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Remarks At A Press Conference On Expanding The Child Tax Credit, Washington DC, 6/25/03)

On the Other Hand, To Pay For Her $93 Trillion Green New Deal Ocasio-Cortez Would Have To Levy Extreme Taxes On Middle Class Families

If Democrats Taxed Every Household That Made More Than $200,000 At A 100% Rate They Would Still Fall More Than $58 Trillion Short Over 10 Years. ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)

• Households Making More Than $200,000 Brought In $3.5 Trillion Of Taxable Income In 2016 . ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)

If Democrats Taxed Every Household That Made More Than $100,000 At A 100% Rate They Would Still Fall More Than $32 Trillion Short Over 10 Years. ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)

• Households Making More Than $100,000 Brought In $6.1 Trillion Of Taxable Income In 2016. ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)

Democrats Would Have To Tax Every Household Earning More Than $30,000 At A 100% Rate To Generate $93 Trillion In Income Tax Revenue Over 10 Years. ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)

• Households Making More Than $40,000 Brought In $8.9 Trillion Of Taxable Income In 2016. ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)
• Households Making More Than $30,000 Brought In $9.5 Trillion Of Taxable Income In 2016. ( IRS , Accessed 2/25/19)

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