As part of a 5-day Economic Patriotism Tour across Pennsylvania, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) was welcomed by Local 776 President Spencer Dearth at the Teamsters Local 776 Union Hall in York, PA. 

Rep. Khanna began the event by outlining his vision for Economic Patriotism, which he described as a New Deal for our time. He has proposed creating a National Industrial Bank that would work with local communities to invest in projects across the country and bring modern factories, trade schools, and capital to places like York and Harrisburg, PA – not just to the billionaires in a few places. Rep. Khanna spoke about the need for a thousand trade schools, to invest in our manufacturing here at home, and to build up American industry. 

Rep. Khanna also took questions from the public on a range of issues, including the economy and AI. First, he believes that we need to stand with workers when it comes to having drivers in control of trucks and not automating away jobs. Second, the need to revise the tax code so that companies are incentivized to hire humans rather than use AI. Third, we need a federal jobs program that operates as a period of national service and training, akin to military service, offering a shared experience. 

Rep. Khanna ended by stressing that communities like York and Harrisburg should lead America's industrial revival and share in future prosperity, rather than having the nation’s wealth hoarded by billionaires. 

Representative Ro Khanna, center, along with Local 776 Business Agent Shane Weaver (L) and President Spencer Dearth.