Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Bill Cassidy - Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks during today’s hearing to discuss the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Cassidy's speech highlighted several key issues with the current workforce development system in the United States. "There are more than 8 million job openings in the United States. The unemployment rate is low, but so is labor force participation," Cassidy stated. He pointed out that 37.5 percent of working-age adults nationwide are unemployed and not actively looking for work.
Cassidy criticized the existing federal workforce funding for prioritizing government bureaucracy over investing in workers' skills. He emphasized the importance of reauthorizing and improving WIOA to address these concerns.
"WIOA funds programs to assist Americans in obtaining crucial job skills as well as connect job-seekers with employment opportunities," Cassidy noted. However, he expressed disappointment that Congress has not reauthorized WIOA since its expiration in 2020.
The senator called for a bipartisan effort to reauthorize WIOA before August recess, highlighting contributions from his Republican colleagues Senators Tuberville, Mullin, Marshall, Braun, Budd, Romney, and Collins who have developed relevant legislation.
"When Congress fails to reauthorize programs, we miss out on the ability to improve them to meet the needs of the modern workforce and employers," Cassidy said. He proposed several measures to enhance WIOA:
- Directing more funding towards training and allowing states to innovate.
- Improving the Eligible Training Provider List for better connection between workers and quality training providers.
- Allowing states flexibility in implementing innovative workforce development models.
- Increasing transparency and accountability of WIOA programs regarding employment outcomes.
Cassidy concluded by expressing his appreciation for Chair Sanders calling this hearing and looked forward to discussions aimed at benefiting working Americans.
For all news and updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or Twitter at @GOPHELP.
Alerts Sign-up