A Stronger Workforce for America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina and our chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce for giving me this opportunity to rise in support of H.R. 6655, the bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

Having built a small business from the ground up, I have experienced firsthand just how hard it can be to find skilled and qualified workers. As I traveled the 12th District of Georgia, the number one issue I hear about from businessowners and job creators is workforce development.

That is why, with nearly 9 million unfilled jobs across the Nation, it is imperative we move past the status quo and recognize that many good-paying jobs do not require a traditional 4-year college degree.

H.R. 6655 will make much-needed improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to ensure Federal dollars are dedicated to upskilling the workforce and making the shift to skills-based hiring.

Additionally, I am proud that provisions from my Startup Act were included in this critical legislation to incorporate entrepreneurial skills development training into the current workforce development system.

One of the greatest honors of my life has been the ability to provide hardworking Americans with the dignity and respect that comes from gainful employment and the means to provide for their families, their communities, their church, and this Nation.

The traditional working family is the greatest economic engine ever created. By bridging the gap between the education and business communities, we can equip our workforce with the tools needed to spark innovation, spur economic growth, and achieve the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

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