# What This Resolution About a Federal Job Guarantee Actually Means

This is a resolution—which means it's a statement of what Congress believes should happen, rather than a law that immediately changes things. What it's saying is that the federal government has a responsibility to guarantee that anyone who wants a job can get one. Think of it as Congress officially declaring that full employment should be a national goal and that the government should create the jobs to make it happen.

The resolution proposes that the government would directly hire people for public service jobs paying at least $15 an hour, with regular raises to keep up with living costs. These jobs would include things like caring for children and seniors, fixing up neighborhoods, cleaning up abandoned properties, teaching, working in libraries, environmental conservation, building affordable housing, and creating art and cultural works. Workers would get health insurance like federal employees have, paid sick leave, family leave, retirement benefits, and vacation time. They could also join unions and collectively bargain for better conditions. The program would be open to adults 18 and over (and part-time work for teenagers 16-17), including people with criminal records and people with disabilities, without discrimination.

The resolution emphasizes that this isn't meant to replace existing safety net programs like unemployment insurance—it's meant to expand them. It also stresses that these jobs should prioritize helping communities that have historically faced discrimination and disinvestment, and that the program should be designed with input from local communities, labor unions, and civil rights groups. The Department of Labor would run the program with funding from the Treasury, working with state and local governments to figure out what projects communities actually need.

It's important to understand that this resolution doesn't create the program—it's essentially Congress saying "we think this is a good idea and the government should do this." Actually creating and funding such a program would require separate legislation and congressional approval of the funding. So while this represents a significant statement of intent from some members of Congress, it's not yet a binding commitment or a funded program.

Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Federal job guarantee.

Pressley, Ayanna

 <p>This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that it is the duty of the federal government to create a federal job guarantee.</p>