Strengthening the Backbone: Empowering the Middle Class and Supporting Unions
In the heart of Appalachia, our middle class has been the driving force of progress and the shield against the tides of adversity. Yet today, we find this force waning under the strain of economic inequality and a rapidly changing job market. Our unions, once the barricade of workers’ rights, are grappling with policies that threaten to erode their hard-fought gains. I will stand firm in the Senate to champion legislation that revitalizes our middle class and not only protects but also strengthens organized labor’s power of collective bargaining. This means advocating for labor laws that meet the moment—laws that protect the right to organize, promote fair wages, and ensure a safe workplace. It’s about building an economy where prosperity is shared, where every West Virginian can find stable ground and reach for new heights.