[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND VILNIUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address two topics today: 
workforce development and President Biden's historic remarks in 
Vilnius, Lithuania, yesterday.
  First, on the labor shortage across our country, job openings remain 
near record highs. I hear repeatedly from businessowners in my district 
of unprecedented hiring challenges, a sentiment further backed by 
recent data. The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
indicate there are one-and-one-half job openings for every person 
looking for one in Ohio, and the same is true nationally.
  Due to legislation largely Democrats in Congress have passed, robust 
job creation is a fantastic achievement. However, if our country wants 
to achieve a steady growth economy, pay down our debt, and curb 
inflation for everyday, hardworking Americans, we must do more to 
address worker shortages.
  Let's focus on key sectors: manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, 
business services, the tech industry, culinary arts, and other sectors 
that are experiencing significant hiring challenges. Local communities 
must focus on additional education and training, especially for the 
hardest hit sectors that are recovering from the pandemic.

  During the pandemic, many experienced workers over the age of 55 
retired early, causing large employment gaps. Less experienced workers 
simply do not have the necessary skills to fill these open positions.
  These are jobs that pay a living wage, carry benefits, and help 
families and communities prosper. However, the skills gap hits hardest 
younger workers and midcareer workers looking for new jobs.
  Local community job training programs must bolster skills 
advancement, focusing on these newer entrants and forging more 
partnerships between industry and local community high schools, 
colleges, universities, and labor unions.
  By accelerating workforce training locally, our Nation can increase 
the availability of specialized skills for workers so people can 
advance in the marketplace. A better life awaits them and their 
families, ensures the health of our economy, and increases America's 
global competitiveness.
  Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan Act without any Republican 
votes or support. As a result, the Federal Economic Development 
Administration's Good Jobs Challenge program helps to fund workforce 
development training across our country.
  The Ohio Manufacturers' Association and the Northwest Ohio 
Manufacturing Alliance both have received funding through the American 
Rescue Plan to expand manufacturing workforce training throughout Ohio.
  Manufacturing has always been a central spine and backbone of Ohio's 
middle class. In addition, I have introduced the Office of 
Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act to improve workforce 
development and job creation in the manufacturing sector.
  Mr. Speaker, please let me thank my bipartisan colleagues for 
recognizing the need for investment in manufacturing workforce 
development. Our bill focuses on lifting up America's workers while 
strengthening our economy by forging public-private partnerships 
critical to meeting demands for a capably trained workforce.
  Quickly, the second issue, Mr. Speaker, I wish to briefly address is 
President Biden's historic speech in Vilnius, Lithuania, yesterday.
  Standing with leaders of our fellow democratic nations bonded in 
mutual self-defense, he clearly celebrated the expansion of NATO as 
Finland and Sweden joined the longstanding, hard-fought alliance among 
30 free nations. We now stand as part of a NATO alliance that is 32 
members strong and comprises 15 percent of our globe's population, and 
the members live in freedom.
  Delivering his address inside a nation that heroically threw off the 
yoke of Russian oppression at tremendous cost, the moving ceremony 
represents a pivotal moment in liberty's advance in world history. We 
witnessed freedom-loving nations again pledge their consequential, 
shared commitment to mutual self-defense and support for our ally, 
Ukraine.
  While Democrats are working hard domestically on rebuilding the 
economy, lowering inflation, and solving problems at home, President 
Biden's leadership ensures that our defense alliances abroad are 
strengthened.
  Let us continue to work together to deliver real results for the 
American people here at home and strengthen liberty's alliances 
globally.

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