DeLauro Votes against Partisan Republican Bill

Harms Opportunities for Women, Disabled, Youth,Elderly, Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today votedagainst a partisan Republican bill brought before the House of Representatives.The legislation takes a one-size-fits-all approach to the Workforce InvestmentProgram, putting at risk services for disabled workers, youth, elderly workersand veterans.

"Workforce investment and training are critical and we needa system that better trains our workforce to compete in a global economy. Andfor decades, members of Congress have worked on these issues in a bipartisanfashion. But instead of taking a bipartisan approach, House Republicans onceagain chose a highly partisan, political route that has no chance of becominglaw.

"This misguided bill freezes investment in job training forthe next seven years, despite the fact that funding for these programs has beencut by over $2.3 billion since 2002. It takes a one-size-fits-all approach tojob training and investment, essentially creating a block grant program andgiving discretion to the states that may endanger services for disadvantagedmembers of our society, who in too many cases are already fighting an uphillbattle. Our women, youth, disabled workers, elderly and veterans deservebetter. In addition the bill removes therequirement that the labor community and others are represented on WorkforceInvestment Boards potentially eliminating the voice workers have onthese boards. Finally, I am disappointed that this bill limits states'flexibility to meet the job training needs of food stamp participants, who aregenerally not well served by other employment and training programs.

"In the past, both parties have understood government'scrucial role in helping Americans better their lives through job training andinvestment. Un- and underemployed Americans rely on these services to get backon their feet and provide for their families. House Democrats have acounterproposal and we should have passed that bill today. Congress needs to tacklethese problems in a bipartisan fashion, not partisan legislation that onlyexacerbates the problem.