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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today launched the first-ever U.S. Senate Economic Mobility Caucus. The goal of the Caucus is to provide Members of Congress, their staff and other interested parties with an opportunity to learn more about the drivers of economic opportunity and upward mobility, which form the foundation of the American dream.

"Our country has historically been a place where, regardless of one’s background, anyone can achieve success through hard work,” Sen. Moran said. “The ability to move up the economic ladder helps create a dynamic society where individuals are free to reach their full potential. Senator Wyden and I have created the Economic Mobility Caucus to provide Members of Congress a forum to discuss the policies Washington needs to pursue to make certain our children and grandchildren can live in an America that allows them to dream big and pursue those dreams."

“Economic mobility should be no more partisan an idea than the American dream itself,” Sen. Wyden said. “There are great ideas for improving access to the American dream out there and there are even more yet to be created. As a policy-maker, I want to hear those ideas and use the best of them to improve the lives of every American. That is the goal of the Economic Mobility Caucus and with the support of my partner, Senator Moran, my other Senate colleagues and Americans of every political stripe that goal is within our reach."

Many Americans have started with little more than an idea, and achieved much success. The creation of an environment where people have the opportunity for success is vital to economic growth, and something government policies should encourage. Yet, recent data indicates that fewer Americans are starting businesses, and the United States has slipped from 4th to 13th place since 2007 on the World Bank’s ranking of “startup friendliness” because of government policies that don’t do enough to promote economic growth and encourage entrepreneurs.

The Economic Mobility Caucus will provide a fact-based framework and serve as a clearinghouse for ideas and information with which to assess government policies and identify areas of agreement among the Members of Congress. Sen. Moran will serve as co-chairman of the caucus along with Sen. Wyden.

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