29 New Democrat Coalition Members Sponsor Bill to Renew Key Workforce Training Program
Today, 29 Members of the pro-growth New Democrat Coalition sponsored the ‘Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014’, legislation introduced by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA). The bill would extend the life of key provisions in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act that lapsed on December 31, 2013 for an additional seven years.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), a program managed by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides trade-affected workers with individualized training plans, on-the-job training, allowances for expenses associated with re-employment and relocation, among a host of other benefits. The program has a remarkable track record of success: according to a Department of Labor study: 138,477 workers participated in training via the TAA program over the past 5 years. In Fiscal Year 2012, 71% of the workers participating were re-employed, and 91% remained on the job after six months.
For the last decade, New Democrats played a critical role in the expansion and enhancement of TAA benefits for American workers. The Coalition’s members worked with presidents of both parties to expand TAA benefits to workers in the service industry and enhance the benefits available to all workers in the TAA program. A group led by Reps. Adam Smith and Derek Kilmer worked with Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (MI-09) to develop this year’s reauthorization. Mr. Levin is an original cosponsor of the legislation. In statements, the Coalition’s leaders on TAA expressed their commitment to renewing the vital job training program for American workers.
“TAA is a lifeline for American workers, and I’m proud to support it,” said Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, who sponsored the bill. “At a time when we need to redouble our efforts to attack the jobs crisis in America and help connect employers with a skilled workforce, TAA is more important than ever. I’ll work tirelessly to educate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on the vital necessity of this program, which provides workers with the training and support they need to get back on the job.”
“American workers can out-compete anyone in the world if they have a level playing field,” said New Democrat Coalition Chairman Rep. Ron Kind (WI-03). “TAA helps to extend ladders of opportunity to unemployed workers by connecting them directly to the training and personalized consultation they need. I join my colleagues in commending Congressman Smith and Congressman Kilmer for their hard work on this bill.”
“As someone with over a decade of experience in economic development, I know that job training is a key catalyst for job growth,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “Our workers and employers have to compete with those of countries around the world. That’s why we need to ensure access to training that can protect and produce quality jobs. TAA helps to do just that, which is why I’m going to do everything I can to build support for this bill in the House.”
Find out more about the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act of 2014 by reading a fact sheet on the bill here.
Next Article