Renacci Introduces Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act

Press Release

Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH) introduced H.R. 1091, the Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act, bipartisan legislation to encourage job creation by providing states with more flexibility to help unemployed individuals.

Under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, the Department of Labor was granted waiver authority within the unemployment insurance (UI) program. These waivers gave states wide latitude in using UI funds to operate demonstration projects that would help unemployed workers reenter the workforce. However, the Department of Labor made it very difficult for states to apply--only one state applied and that application was quickly denied.

"At a time when too many people in Ohio and around the country are still looking for work, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier, not harder, to reenter the workforce," said Renacci. "It is critical that we reduce the unnecessary Washington red tape that stands in the way of job growth and states' ability to make unemployment programs more effective."

The Flexibility to Promote Reemployment Act is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that would implement a series of reforms to the current waiver program to make it more appealing to states. It would clarify application requirements and demonstration activities and provide greater transparency in the demonstration termination process.

Renacci has represented the 16th district of Ohio since 2011 and sits on the Ways and Means Committee and Budget Committee.

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