Renacci Testifies Before Ways & Means HR Subcommittee on Job Creation Bill

Press Release

Reps. Jim Renacci (R-OH) today testified before the Ways & Means Human Resources Subcommittee on H.R. 2509, the Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act, during a hearing examining waste, fraud, and abuse within the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and unemployment insurance (UI) programs. Introduced by Renacci and Rep. John Carney (D-DE), the co-founders of the Bipartisan Working Group, the Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act would encourage job creation by providing states with more flexibility to help unemployed individuals collect paychecks instead of benefit checks.

Under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, the Department of Labor (DOL) was granted waiver authority within the UI program. The waivers allowed unprecedented flexibility in the use of state UI funds, enabling states to operate demonstration projects designed to assist the unemployed in their efforts to re-enter the workforce. Many states have described the rigorous application process created by the DOL as onerous and time consuming.

The Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act requires DOL to go back to the drawing board and reassess its application requirements. It would implement a series of reforms to the current waiver in an attempt to make it more appealing to states, increasing states' flexibility to help unemployed individuals find employment. Additionally, this legislation furthers extends the deadline for waiver applications to 2019.

"At a time when too many in Ohio and around the country are looking for work, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier -- not harder -- for Americans to re-enter the workforce," said Renacci. "The Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that gives states the flexibility they need to incentivize employers to hire and help individuals find employment. My priority remains advancing pro-growth solutions that will incite economic growth, and this legislation will do just that."

"Congress' number one priority needs to be getting Americans back to work," said Carney. "I'm pleased to work with my friend Jim Renacci on this legislation. It's a creative way to encourage employers to hire, and it's the kind of innovative thinking we need to get our economy moving again."

Source