Skip to main content

Pelosi Remarks at Press Event Unveiling A Better Deal: Tools to Succeed in the 21st Century

April 27, 2018

Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616

Alexandria, VA – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined House Democratic Leaders at Northern Virginia Community College, to unveil the newest plank of their bold economic agenda, A Better Deal: Tools to Succeed in the 21st Century. The plank focuses on Democrats' commitment to investing in America's workers, pioneering future frontiers and modernizing government. Below are the Leader's remarks:

Leader Pelosi. Good morning everyone. It's wonderful to be back here at NOVA. Thank you Provost Haggray for your hospitality here, more importantly for your leadership at this magnificent institution. I thank President Ralls, also, for his hospitality for his leadership.

As you know, we were here on March 30, 2010 with the signing of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. That was the health care bill and education bill were in the same piece of legislation. President Obama signed the legislation. We were so proud. Dr. Jill Biden welcomed us, presented us with all the pride she took in NOVA and we take great pride in you and her as well.

This is part of our innovation agenda, a part of our Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Pay, Better Future which was launched in Virginia in July 24, 2017. Our economic agenda rollout in Rose Hill Park, Berryville, Virginia so this is another indication of the importance in Virginia of education, entrepreneurship, technology, the connection between the jobs for the 21st century and what's happening in Virginia.

And I thank you, Madam Provost for how you explained the demographics of the school, the size, the entrepreneurship and the ambitions.

A Better Deal is what we are here to talk about. It's our response to what we think is a raw deal on the other side of the aisle. We are putting power back in the hands of people, creating millions of good-paying jobs, full-time jobs and to raise wages.

We talked about this when Mr. Beyer welcomed us here on the listening tour. We had a great session here with you, with Mr. [Gerry] Connolly, and Bobby [Scott], to talk about what we could learn from what was happening here and your distinguished Member of Congress told us at that time what the private sector needs, what they ask for, what education provides for students, so our whole economy advances.

It's about creating good-paying jobs, but it's also about lowering the cost of living for families, taking action for cuts in the cost of prescription drugs, the list goes on. And today we'll be unveiling a bold and new proposal giving Americans the tools to succeed in the 21st Century and to emphasize how important community colleges are in all that.

Many families feel that they are being left out, left behind by the rapid technological change. Too many families are wondering where they fit in the economy of tomorrow. We must renew America's promise of prosperity, ensure that all we all share the benefits of our natural progress.

Democrats are building on the success of our historic, ambitious 2007 Innovation Agenda. After 18 months now, this our Innovation Agenda 2.0, but it's called [Tools] for the 21st Century, and after 18 months of listening sessions with workers, entrepreneurs, educators, small business people and students, we have a bold new plan to drive innovation and empower all workers.

I'm sticking to my notes in the interest of time, because I could talk all day about this – and since I've demonstrated 8 hours of doing that I don't want you to be fried –

[Laughter]

We will invest in America's workers by strengthening our education system, connecting workers of all backgrounds to good-paying jobs, guaranteeing worker protections creating portable benefits.

We will pioneer future frontiers by doubling investment in scientific achievement, building smart, efficient and green infrastructure, and bringing broadband to every corner of America.

We will modernize government by upgrading and securing our computer systems, cracking down on cyber threats and increasing technological training in the public and private sectors.

We are so proud to hear Andrea make a presentation. She did not say, but Mr. Beyer referenced that she is an entrepreneur and has started her own after school business about STEAM, teaching kids about the importance of STEAM—science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Thank you, and congratulations for your lovely presentation to focus on what this is, about the future and about our students.

We are fighting, Democrats are fighting, to build an economy that works for Americans from coast to coast and springing from the heartland of America, too. We are fighting to tilt the playing field back to the side of the American worker. Where is the leverage? With the worker, with the student, with the future. We are fighting to give every American the tools to succeed in the 21st century.

Now it is my honor to yield to an important leader on this—who was an architect of the 2007 innovation agenda—in the lead on how we have gone forth now, 12 years later for a freshening in terms of new technologies, new challenges and new answers for the 21st century.

A congresswoman who, from Silicon Valley, may be competing with Mr. Beyer in terms of most educated and the rest. But nonetheless, the vitality of both their districts is so important. But I emphasize, that vitality exists in the heartland of America as well, and that is recognized by the person I am going to yield to, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo from California, architect of this movement.

# # #