[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 39 (Monday, March 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING KNOWLEDGE AND INVESTING IN LIFELONG SKILLS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 15, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 803) to 
     reform and strengthen the workforce investment system of the 
     Nation to put Americans back to work and make the United 
     States more competitive in the 21st century:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Chair, today's legislation is a missed 
opportunity. As our economy recovers, job training services are more 
essential than ever, and we should be reauthorizing the Workforce 
Investment Act to ensure that these services are delivered efficiently 
and effectively. Unfortunately, H.R. 803 will not do that.
  This bill establishes a single block grant for Workforce Investment 
Act funds, creating a one-size-fits-all model and jeopardizing services 
for the most at-risk populations, including workers with disabilities, 
older workers, disabled veterans, and youth. It also weakens Workforce 
Investment Boards by eliminating representation requirements for 
community-based organizations, community colleges, and labor. Without 
these important stakeholders, Boards will lose vital expertise in 
training and placement.
  While Democrats believe the Workforce Investment Act needs to be 
updated to meet today's job training needs, H.R. 803 is not the way to 
do it. I support the substitute offered by Mr. Tierney, Mr. Hinojosa, 
and Mr. Miller that would streamline programs and improve 
accountability without threatening services for underserved 
populations. It would authorize the President's Community College Fund 
to expand the role of community colleges in job training and allow them 
to offer specialized skills and recognized credentials. It would 
increase access for work experience programs, including summer 
employment, internships, and pre-apprenticeship programs, so workers 
can receive training on the job. And it would establish common 
reporting and performance measures across all programs so we can better 
assess what is working. It is a better approach and I regret that the 
Republican Majority did not work with us to incorporate these ideas 
into the final bill.
  Unfortunately, H.R. 803 on the floor today is a step backwards, 
dismantling protections and access for underserved populations and 
weakening community involvement in job training and placement. I urge 
my colleagues to vote against this legislation and come together to in 
a bipartisan way to responsibly reform our workforce development 
programs.

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