Much is being done to shore up U.S. production of semiconductors through the CHIPS and Science Act, which will require tens of thousands of workers. But many of the highly educated engineers taking those jobs face immigration restrictions, thanks to an increasingly overwhelmed and burdensome visa process.

A labor shortage in manufacturing seems to be tempting them.

The supply chain is being built to reduce U.S. vulnerability and seize opportunities like artificial intelligence, Raimondo says.

The United Auto Workers are getting pushback from Southern Republicans, but gains in Detroit are driving interest in Alabama and elsewhere.

The stat, called labor share of national income, is being squeezed by globalization, declining union membership and automation.

Population growth helps stabilize the economy by providing workers we need.

“About 37% of teens worked last year,” says Abha Bhattarai of The Washington Post. “These teens are really excited,” employers tell her.

Unions are more visible and vocal than they’ve been in decades. If the labor market remains tight, they’ll have negotiating leverage.

The government has virtually no data on this mostly unregulated, $250 billion global industry, says Drew Harwell of The Washington Post.

The employment cost index, a favorite Federal Reserve data point, captures the cost of employing people, including benefits.