[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3196-S3197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Job Corps

  Ms. ROSEN. Mr. President, I rise today to shine a light on Donald 
Trump's dismantling of yet another critical program that Nevadans and 
young people across our Nation rely on--the Job Corps Program.
  Job Corps was established by Congress to provide young people with 
the skills training that they need to access good-paying, in-demand 
jobs. It is the largest residential career training program in the 
entire country, providing young people--many of whom were previously 
homeless or at risk--with housing and skills training in fields like 
manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.
  Once they graduate, they enter the workforce and contribute to our 
communities and our economy. They learn the skills necessary to build 
their lives, to build their futures. It is truly a great program that 
has helped more than 3 million people have a chance at the American 
dream since 1964.
  Unfortunately, Job Corps centers across the country received a stop 
work order at the end of last week that instructed them to close their 
doors and send all of their students back home, including Nevada's Job 
Corps campus, the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center, in Reno, NV. This is 
going to be devastating--devastating--for the tens of thousands of 
young people who are currently enrolled in all 50 States.
  The Trump administration--well, it claims it supports trade schools 
and job training, but, frankly, if this administration really knew 
anything about the Job Corps Program, they would know that they are 
trade schools. They are centers where students go, where they study, 
where they work hard, and where they earn their certifications that 
allow them access to good-paying jobs. So why is Donald Trump closing 
down this program and taking away the opportunity for these students to 
work? It just doesn't make any sense.
  Shutting down this program will also immediately evict more than 300 
students at the Nevada campus alone, many of whom have nowhere else to 
go, students like Samuel, who wrote to me, saying:

       I am a nineteen-year-old student who attends Sierra Nevada 
     Job Corps. I happen to be a paraplegic who was adopted at the 
     age of seven. Since then, I've had many health issues and 
     trials, which made it very difficult for me to do all of my 
     school classes. . . . Then I came to Job Corps eight months 
     ago and am actually doing very well.
       Job Corps has provided me with more than just an education 
     and vocational training; it has offered me a safe haven, a 
     community, and a path forward.
       The comprehensive support [allows] me to focus on my 
     personal and professional development without the constant 
     worry of where I will sleep or how I will eat. For 
     individuals like myself, Job Corps is NOT merely a program; 
     it is a LIFELINE. The prospect of its closure is not just a 
     policy issue; it is a PERSONAL CRISIS.
       Without Job Corps, I face the grim reality of UNEMPLOYMENT, 
     of HOMELESSNESS, and the continuation of a cycle of POVERTY 
     that has been difficult to break.

  When rumors of the Trump administration's cruel plan came out, 
countless Nevadans who care about Job Corps immediately reached out to 
my office, many sharing their stories of students this program helps.
  Job Corps is life-changing, lifesaving for these young people. Since 
the stop work order went into effect, those students themselves have 
been reaching out and speaking out too, students like Selena from Reno, 
who wrote in, saying:

       Since being at Job Corps, I have earned six credits in the 
     three months that I have been here. . . . I also have 
     received my chainsaw certification and respirator 
     certification. . . . If Job Corps closes, I won't have any 
     other chance at an education. I'll leave with an incomplete 
     trade and be unemployable in what I trained in, and I'll 
     leave with no diploma.

  And Pamela said:

       I worked SO hard to get where I am now. Months ago, I was 
     struggling, trying to figure out life. I didn't know what to 
     do. I was working from warehouse to warehouse until I heard 
     about Job Corps.
       That's when I knew if I came here to Job Corps, I could do 
     something with my life and show my son that it is NEVER too 
     late to accomplish your goals. . . . Now, I'm here working 
     with 100 percent of my strength and energy. . . . But if Job 
     Corps closes, I will have no other education opportunities.

  These stories are heartbreaking. They are hard to hear. These young 
people and so many more like them have gained hope and confidence. This 
administration is going after kids who want to grow, who want to learn, 
who want to work, who are trying to do the right thing, students who 
are trying to do what they have been told their whole lives to do: Get 
an education,

[[Page S3197]]

work hard, and get a good-paying job to be able to live the American 
dream.
  This closure is not only going to hurt those kids, this closure is 
going to hurt those looking to serve our Nation, those young folks who 
wish to join our military, students like Anthony, who wrote:

       I was recommended to go to Job Corps by my older brother, 
     who had graduated from here back in 2013, and he is now 
     working as a contractor for the United States Air Force, and 
     he believes it's all thanks to Job Corps.
       If Job Corps closes, I will be at a disadvantage in my 
     pursuit of joining the military, which is my goal. Without 
     Job Corps, I will be unable to earn my diploma and unable to 
     leave with the required certifications for the career that I 
     think will be amazing for my future.

  So now just imagine tens of thousands of students just like Samuel, 
just like Selena, Pamela, and Anthony who are working on building a 
better life for themselves, working hard. They want to build a better 
community for everyone. That is who the Trump administration is 
sacrificing, students like Samuel, Pamela, Selena, and Anthony, kids 
who want to build a life for themselves. And for what and for whom? Tax 
cuts for the ultrawealthy--that is who.
  As I share these stories, students at Sierra Nevada Job Corps are 
walking across the stage right now, which could be their final 
graduation. Meanwhile, sadly, this administration is working overtime 
to give billionaires like Elon Musk more government contracts, more 
money, and more tax breaks and putting the American dream out of reach 
for thousands of students in need. It is putting their future and the 
future of our communities at risk. Again, I say, for what and for whom 
is the sacrifice of our kids? It is to give billionaires a bigger tax 
break.
  This program has support from both sides of the aisle. There are Job 
Corps centers in blue States and red States. Since 1964, this program 
has helped literally thousands of young folks build a career and build 
a life. We cannot allow Donald Trump to end Job Corps and kill the 
dreams and opportunities for young people across our country.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues in both parties to join me in 
supporting Job Corps and pledging to do everything we can do to fight 
back against any and all efforts to defund this critical trades 
program--a critical program for the lives of our young students.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.