{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/boyle-and-veasey-form-blue-collar-caucus-congress", "Boyle and Veasey form Blue Collar Caucus in Congress", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "PA", "Brendan Boyle", "B001296", "boyle.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2013 Today, Congressmen Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-13) and Marc Veasey (D-TX-33) announced the formation of the Blue Collar Caucus to focus Congressional efforts on alleviating the economic anxiety felt by working class Americans that was so pronounced in the 2016 election, and re-engage Democratic efforts to reach these voters.\n  \n\tDiscussing the aims of the caucus, Congressman Boyle said, \u201cToo many Americans think the best days for their families are behind them. And they\u2019ve lost faith in their elected leaders to stand up for their best interests, protect their rights, and promote their prosperity. We can and must do better.\u201d Boyle continued, \u201cThe America I grew up in \u2013 and the one I still see today \u2013 is a forward-looking nation built by blue collar workers of all colors, crafts, and creeds. These workers literally built our nation. Now it is our duty in Washington to rebuild their trust in government by working for them.\u201d\n  \n\tCongressman Veasey said, \u201cEvery hardworking American should have the economic security to provide for their families. Congress has the responsibility to enact policies that ensure an equal opportunity for all American workers to climb the ladder of success.\u201d Veasey reflected, \u201cThrough my monthly \u2018Marc Means Business\u2019 initiative where I work alongside constituents in both large and small businesses, I\u2019ve learned that Americans want real action to create jobs, raise wages, and ensure that they can improve the quality of life for their families and for future generations. Our caucus will focus on exactly that.\u201d\n  \n\tThe Blue Collar Caucus will foster member discussion and legislative ideas focused on addressing wage stagnation, job insecurity, trade, offshoring, and dwindling career opportunities for those in the manufacturing and building trades. The caucus will focus on bringing together a diverse array of Democratic members of the House of Representatives to generate solutions that will protect American workers from globalized competition, maintain the viability of domestic manufacturing, and help to cultivate innovative industries that can provide stable employment amid rapid technological advancement. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://boyle.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/boyle-and-veasey-form-blue-collar-caucus-congress"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9682178497314453, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}