|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 693-4650
Today, the House Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee took
a significant step backwards from our successful seven-year effort to equip
working families with 21st century skills so that they can compete and succeed
in the 21st century economy. At the same time, the Senate Labor/HHS
Appropriations Subcommittee missed an opportunity to invest in the future of
our workers and the businesses that employ them.
Now is the time to invest in working families so that they
can compete and succeed in the new economy. Instead, the House subcommittee
abandoned bipartisan reform of our nation's job training system by eliminating
funding for initiatives such as neighborhood One-Stop Career Centers designed
to equip workers with 21st century skills and to enable businesses to find the
skilled workers they so desperately need to keep our national economic
expansion on track. At a time when workers are working safer, smarter and
harder, the House subcommittee also walked away from our successes in improving
the safety and quality of workplaces across the nation.
At the dawn of a new century, America must close skill gaps
and open doors of opportunity to the new economy. The president's fiscal year
2001 budget proposal would continue to invest in the untapped pool of 13
million Americans people who are young or have disabilities, homeless veterans
and former welfare recipients at a time when we don't have a worker to spare.
Our budget would also ensure that workers who are dislocated from employment
through no fault of their own can upgrade their skills and receive the services
they need to return to the workforce.
Instead of investing in the skills training our workers
need, today's action by the House and Senate Labor/HHS Appropriations
Subcommittees shortchanges America's working families. Instead of providing
employers with the new workers they need to continue our economic expansion,
these proposals undercut American businesses.
The House also shortchanged our efforts both domestically
and abroad to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, and to improve the
safety and health of workers and their benefits. At a time when our efforts to
improve the quality and safety of workplaces is showing results, we should
honor our commitment to these workers. We must also maintain our international
commitment to raise labor standards across the globe. Just last year, the
Senate overwhelming ratified the child labor convention. Now, the House failed
to provide the additional funds requested by the president to advance our
efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
America's economy is stronger than ever. America's
businesses are counting on us to keep our economy strong and growing. We should
continue our investment in these initiatives so that all Americans can share in
the hope and promise of the new economy. These bills let them down.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
