U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) announced a new proposal on Tuesday for residents of Queens and the Bronx that included improvements to everything from jobs and education to affordable housing and immigration.

Crowley unveiled “A Better Deal for Queens and the Bronx” from East Elmhurst’s Vaughn College, where he said that his proposal—if passed by Congress—would improve the lives of his working families and middle class constituents.

“My Republican colleagues have abandoned middle-class Americans for corporations and special interests,” he said. “This is a collection of concrete proposals that will make a difference in our communities and for the people of the Bronx and Queens, who are the hardest working people.”

Crowley’s plan included proposals for jobs and wages, such as the introduction of an on-the-job training act to improve practical career skills and hosting annual STEM career fairs.

The plan also included proposals for education (increasing federal school construction funds), housing (a Rent Relief Act to create a new tax credit for renters), homelessness (combating predatory evictions), immigration reform (protections for DREAMers), criminal justice reform (ending federal funding for private prisons), seniors (the expansion of supportive housing), veterans (reducing homelessness through rent relief), infrastructure (lead paint abatement on western Queens’ elevated 7 line) and transportation (installing elevators at every subway station to make them accessible).

Crowley said that he believes his legislation would have a better chance of being passed if the Democrats retake the House of Representatives during this fall’s election.

Angel Pineiro Jr., the senior vice president of private sector company Agilant Solutions Inc., said at Crowley’s announcement on Tuesday that the proposals would “better the lives of people in the Bronx and Queens.”

“If you want to change the social economic status of a community, you need to train the population,” he said. “This population is sick and tired of being sick and tired. The community will pay back by getting jobs, getting promoted and giving others the opportunity they received or starting their own business and creating jobs. We can endorse the cycle of business as usual, which creates poverty, or the cycle of success. This community doesn’t need a hand-me-down, it needs a break.”

Read the full story in this week’s Queens Tribune.