Jody Calemine, the Director of Advocacy for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what happened on the Senate floor with the expansion to the Child Tax Credit. He also discussed the upcoming schedule for members of Congress and explained the impact Project 2025 could have on the American labor movement.
Recently, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) proposed an expansion to the Child Tax. Calemine explained that both parties have been interested in the expansion. Both parties' Presidential candidates had claimed it had previously been an effective plan and needed to be renewed. However, the vote wasn’t successful and did not pass. He explained why this was the case despite earning a majority of the vote, with 48 senators voting in favor of the expansion.
The U.S. Congress is currently in recess, and Calemine discussed the upcoming schedule when Congress returns to Capitol Hill. Due to the election, Calemine said that he’s not hopeful there will be many opportunities for new legislation to be passed.
Finally, Calemine discussed the conservative agenda for running the federal government. Project 2025 is an over 900-page document drafted by conservative leaders who think this is the correct blueprint for the federal government if the Republican Party were to return to the White House. Calemine outlined what the document says about handling unions and worker rights, including eliminating public unions. The AFL-CIO provides a helpful guide to the document that outlines the labor and worker rights options that could be impacted by Project 2025.
Listen to the show above to hear more from Calemine.