A Stronger Workforce for America Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

Workers who are looking for higher paying careers and businesses looking for skilled workers should be able to rely on our workforce development system. Unfortunately, decades of chronic disinvestment and lax quality standards in our workforce system have contributed to unsustainable out-of-pocket costs for both workers and employers.

I thank Ms. Foxx for her bipartisan cooperation in drafting the legislation.

This bill makes an array of critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, in that it will improve our workforce development system for everyone. It will help create a skilled workforce for the millions of new jobs created under the American Rescue Plan Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the bipartisan infrastructure law, and the Chips and Science Act.

Specifically, this bill will ensure that workers displaced from their jobs can access robust development services, including through individual training accounts by guaranteeing that they will receive a training voucher for no less than $5,000. This kind of investment will ensure displaced workers can pay for training in jobs that lead to high-quality, good-paying careers like welding or nursing, among many others.

It also creates an emphasis on employer-led initiatives that equip workers with the skill sets they need to fill jobs in critical industries, and it helps the currently employed workforce upskill to avoid displacement and advance their careers.

Moreover, it will serve individuals with barriers to employment by codifying reentry programs for justice-involved individuals and boosting summer and year-round employment opportunities for youth, especially those who have become disconnected from school and work after the pandemic.

Finally, it streamlines the eligible training provider list to ensure that programs are aligned with the skills and hiring demands and that State and local workforce boards are held accountable for achieving positive outcomes for program participants.

In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to support the A Stronger Workforce for America Act because it will create more opportunities for working Americans to gain a foothold in the middle class.

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record two letters. One is from the American Association of Community Colleges and the Association of Community College Trustees, and the other letter is from the Society for Human Resource Management, better known as SHRM. AACC ACCT, April 8, 2024. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott: We write on behalf of the nation's community colleges and their more than 10 million students to state our support for A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWAA), which we hope will be considered by the full House soon. This bill will help our current and future students better participate in our economy, enabling them to generate family-sustaining wages. We thank the committee for the many hours of work that produced this bipartisan measure.

ASWAA builds on 25 years of experience with the federal workforce system that was overhauled in 1998. AACC and ACCT remain focused on ensuring that the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) facilitates full participation of community colleges in the workforce system, a goal that unfortunately has not yet been attained.

This bill helps make the WIOA reporting requirements more realistic, a longstanding community college goal. It streamlines the process for adding programs to the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), including making qualified Workforce Pell programs automatically eligible for the ETPL. Other ETPL revisions will help ensure program quality and clarify that the data to comply with these requirements come from state-level sources.

We endorse the bill's increased emphasis on training, which is a longstanding priority of community colleges, reflected in a requirement that local areas spend at least 50 percent of funds on skills development. Dedicating H-1B revenues that provides for the creation of mandatory-funded $5,000 Individual Training Accounts is also a major improvement. These two provisions, along with other aspects of the legislation, should greatly increase WIOA's support of workforce education. There is one area where we wish the bill would go further and that is in ensuring that the increased focus on training education went hand in hand with an increased emphasis of supports that participants will need, and which is key to successful completion of workforce programs.

Community colleges particularly applaud the authorization of the Strengthening Community College Workforce Development Grant program, modeled on a highly successful program now in its fourth year of competition. This program helps community colleges enhance workforce education offerings in areas of great demand, working in close cooperation with the private sector. We urge the consideration of higher authorization levels for this program and the rest of the Act as a forceful signal of support for continued growth over time.

We thank you again for your leadership on this bipartisan legislation that is of such great importance and has a positive impact on our students and the nation's economic health. We look forward to working with you as the legislation moves towards enactment in the 118th Congress. Sincerely, Walter G. Bumphus, Ph.D., President and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges. Jee Hang Lee, President and CEO, Association of Community College Trustees. ____ SHRM, April 5, 2024. Re SHRM Letter of Support for the Reauthorization of WIOA. Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Ranking Member Bobby Scott, Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott: SHRM is the global association representing over 340,000+ human resources professionals and executives. Our members are the strategists and catalysts in our workplace, ensuring workers and workplaces have the skills to be competitive in the global economy. SHRM strongly supports H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, critical legislation that modernizes the nation's workforce development system.

SHRM is encouraged by the bipartisan effort to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). H.R. 6655 is a significant step toward strengthening America's workforce and ensuring its long-term global competitiveness. It wisely invests in our future, supporting strong and inclusive talent pipelines, including opportunities for untapped talent pools. Engaging untapped talent--older workers, individuals with disabilities, opportunity youth, veterans, military spouses and caregivers, and individuals with a criminal record--is essential to fostering a more productive and engaged workforce.

A Stronger Workforce for America Act presents an opportunity to align education and development programs with current industry demands. This will equip individuals with the skills and certifications businesses seek, leading to more robust talent pipelines and expanded candidate pools. Ultimately, businesses gain access to a more skilled workforce while workers receive educational opportunities that will allow them to compete in today's workforce. SHRM is committed to promoting a skilled and adaptable workforce, and WIOA reauthorization aligns with this mission.

Furthermore, WIOA reauthorization allows us to advocate for programs encouraging upskilling and reskilling throughout a worker's career. This ensures workers remain competitive in the ever-evolving job market. Additionally, reauthorization can strengthen employer engagement by fostering stronger partnerships between workforce development agencies and businesses. This collaboration gives businesses a say in program design, ensuring it directly addresses their talent needs.

SHRM strongly supports H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which is critical legislation to fortify the workforce development system. The widely bipartisan effort to reauthorize WIOA is a significant stride towards bolstering America's global competitiveness. Strategic investments in inclusive talent pipelines and aligning education and development programs with industry demands, H.R. 6655 promises to mutually benefit businesses and workers, and we urge its swift passage.

SHRM is committed to ensuring our workers and workplaces are globally competitive. We invite collaboration and offer our resources and insights to Congress to address our workforce needs. Please consider SHRM a trusted partner to seize this opportunity and cultivate a stronger, more resilient workforce for the sustained prosperity of our nation. Sincerely, Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the fact that we received a letter from ITI in support of the legislation, the Information Technology Industry Council.

They point out that the bill will help many workers obtain the skills needed for today's jobs by increasing the cap on incumbent worker training funds to allow the current workforce to reskill and upskill and directs 50 percent of the funds toward workforce skill education through the individual training accounts, on-the-job training and employer-led initiatives, as well as including digital literacy skills, which play a pivotal role in today's jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from ITI. ITI, April 8, 2024. Hon. Mike Johnson, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries: I write to you on behalf of The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), the premier global advocate for technology, representing eighty of the world's most innovative companies. Founded in 1916, ITI is an international trade association with a team of professionals on four continents. We promote public policies and industry standards that advance competition and innovation worldwide. The world's most innovative companies depend on the skills of highly trained workers. Finding qualified individuals to fill those jobs is a challenge. For the United States' economy to remain competitive, it is important to have a qualified, skilled workforce to meet the demands of today's jobs.

I write to express our support for the bipartisan H.R. 6655 A Stronger Workforce for America Act led by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA- 03). The legislation is thoughtfully crafted as it addresses the need for Americans to have greater access to skills training and education for advancing in their careers. The legislation is timely as it has been nearly 10 years since the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was enacted, and today's workforce needs have grown and evolved significantly since that time. H.R. 6655 would help many workers obtain the skills needed for today's jobs by increasing the cap on `incumbent worker training' funds to allow more of the current workforce to reskill and upskill, directing 50 percent of funds toward workforce skilling education through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs), on- the-job training, and employer-led initiatives, as well as including digital literacy skills which play a pivotal role in today's jobs.

We applaud the bipartisan leadership that has gone into passing this legislation through the committee and we urge its swift passage through the House. Thank you in advance for your consideration and commitment to addressing the United States' workforce needs. Sincerely, Jason Oxman, President and CEO, Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the letter that we received from the California Youth Opportunity Network.

They say: ``This reauthorization will improve numerous training services, planning, and outcomes for opportunity youth, and we respectfully urge timely consideration of this bipartisan legislation on the floor of the House.''

They go on to say: ``We should not be turning away a young person trying to work toward a better future because of paperwork. For this reason, we are also extremely supportive of the provision which streamlines the eligibility determination process.''

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from COYN of April 1, 2024. April 1, 2024. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman, House Committee on Education and Workforce, Washington, D.C. Hon. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, House Committee on Education and Workforce, Washington, D.C.

Dear Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott: We write to express our support for passage of H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) through the US House of Representatives. WIOA is critical for organizations like the California Opportunity Youth Network (COYN) and New Ways to Work (NWW) to help disconnected youth achieve self-sufficient and successful career outcomes. This reauthorization will improve numerous training services, planning, and outcomes for Opportunity Youth and we respectfully urge timely consideration of this bipartisan legislation on the floor of the House. We also urge your commitment to ensure adequate resources are authorized and appropriated in the future to meet demands for services and resources can more efficiently be used.

COYN and NWW are committed to advancing opportunities for youth who are out of school and out of work and/or involved with the foster care, juvenile justice, and youth homelessness systems. That's why we are pleased to see language in the new WIOA reauthorization bill that broadens WIOA Youth Program eligibility to include all out-of-school, homeless, foster, and justice system-impacted youth. These are young people we know through research will face barriers and are at-risk right now.

Accessing WIOA for systems-involved youth can also be challenging, especially if they are concurrently pursuing their education goals. Replacing the definition of ``out-of- school youth'' with ``Opportunity Youth'' and categorically including systems-involved youth will allow job training providers to better meet their goals and encourages state and local workforce boards to develop service delivery systems to better reach and serve this population.

We also know the existing documentation requirements to prove eligibility represents a major barrier in accessing WIOA programs and services, especially for Qpportunity Youth and systems-involved youth who typically lack access to the necessary forms. We should not be turning away a young person trying to work toward a better future because of paperwork. For this reason, we are also extremely supportive of the provision which streamlines the eligibility determination process by allowing youth to self-attest that they meet the eligibility criteria while still ensuring accountability and eligibility in the future.

Finally, the bill would also require state WIOA plans to increase their focus on Opportunity Youth and other at-risk young people. We support this effort to encourage states to not just develop and submit compliance plans but to truly produce a strategic vision and plan for serving Opportunity Youth, through WIOA and other programs, and understanding their circumstances and needs.

H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act was approved by the committee with wide bipartisan support. Passing this bill through the House is a critical step to build upon WIOA's strong foundation and make efficiency improvements, along with new flexibilities that will ensure better outcomes for states, workforce boards, training providers and more importantly the millions of young people who could be helped on their pathways to careers.

We look forward to working with you and your staff to support this legislation as it moves to the House floor and to ensure adequate appropriations are provided to the programs in the future. We again support passage of H.R. 6655 through the House and thank you for your work on advancing bipartisan legislation. Sincerely, Sean Hughes,

California Opportunity Youth Network. Robert Sainz,

New Ways to Work.
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Kaptur), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Speaker, the last Congress, we tried to get together on a reauthorization of WIOA, but we couldn't come to an agreement. We passed the bill. It didn't pass the Senate.

I am pleased that this Congress, Chairwoman Foxx and I and the committee's staff were able to get together and work together on a bipartisan draft of the Stronger Workforce for America Act.

I am grateful that the committee staff, particularly Scott Estrada and Marek Laco, spent countless hours drafting this legislation.

This bill is an example of the great work that can get done when we work together, so I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, which will meaningfully strengthen our workforce.

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