The 116th US Congress has in it new legislation that would, if passed-God and the public getting to work willing-benefit working and low-income families. These are:

The Paycheck Fairness Act; this updates and strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963 to ensure against gender-based pay inequities. It also prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who speak about their wages-it has happened.

The Raise The Wage Act; this calls for raising the federal minimum wage, from $7.25 an hour to $15.00 an hour by 2024, and phase out unfair exclusions for tipped workers, youth, and people with disabilities. (workers in these minimum wage jobs, in spite of the stereotype of them being kids working after school, are really adults trying to raise families on these merger wages, often two or three such jobs at a time.)

the Healthy Families Act; this bill would guarantee working people the ability to earn up to seven paid sick days a year to recover from short-term illnesses, care for a sick family member, and seek assistance for such things as domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Equality Act; this would add protections for LGBTQ people to existing Civil rights laws, and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Medicare For All Act; this would turn Medicare into a single-payer health care system, like in Canada, ending the starting age of 65 and making it available for all, with no co-pays, premiums, or deductibles. This plan would cover prescription drugs, vision, dental, mental health, substance abuse, and maternal care. This bill would go towards making health care a right and not a luxury for the affluent, and families would not go bankrupt paying for long-term care.

Please contact your member of Congress about this. Public protest and pressure-“heat from the street”-makes a difference.