Three Major Crises

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his leadership tonight and for hosting this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because it is time to get Americans back to work. At the beginning of the pandemic, industries of all types were desperately trying to keep their doors open and thousands of Americans lost their jobs. Since then, Congress has passed measures aimed to aid individuals and businesses, including five bipartisan relief bills, which I supported.

Today, we are starting to return to normal. Businesses across the country are opening their doors to pre-COVID operation levels. However, these industries are facing a new challenge: Getting qualified employees to return to work.

This is abundantly apparent in my district. The number one need of businesses, both manufacturing and service industries, is qualified and trained workers.

This past April, Clarion County held their annual career fair. Employers from numerous sectors gathered and hoped to find employees of all skill levels, great paying, family sustaining jobs available. Sadly, the career fair lacked individuals ready to rejoin the workforce.

Stories like this are, unfortunately, not unique. Right now, there are more job openings in the United States than any point in our Nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to return to normal and more restrictions are lifted, we must continue to follow the science and encourage Americans to reenter the workforce. It is time to fully reopen America for business and put Americans back to work.

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