House Passes Job Training Reforms, Rejects Attempts to Undermine 1964 Civil Rights Act Protections for Faith-Based Institutions

AS PUBLISHED ON THE U.S. DEPT. OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING ADMINISTRATION WEB SITE – News from the Committee on Education and the Workforce
by John Boehner, Chairman
For Immediate Release March 2, 2005

WASHINGTON , D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Job Training Improvement Act (H.R. 27), legislation that would strengthen America 's job training system and help job seekers access the resources and training they need to find good jobs.

"Reforming and strengthening job training programs will help job seekers across the country take advantage of the job training opportunities in our growing economy," said Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH). "We have a responsibility to act on behalf of working families who are still struggling, and that's why this bill is so important. Plain and simple, this is a jobs bill that can make a real difference for workers and their families."

"Unfortunately, the only plan House Democrats have put forward to address the needs of American workers is the status quo," said Boehner, noting House Democrats did not put forth a comprehensive proposal to address the job training needs of American workers. "Their plan fails to reduce duplication and inefficiency that squanders scarce resources, it fails to give states and local communities more flexibility to tailor programs to those who need it most, and it fails to take advantage of the positive role faith-based institutions play in our communities in serving those most in need."

"I'm encouraged about the significant progress we've made on our efforts to strengthen our job training programs already this year," said 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), lead sponsor of the job training bill. "This important bill would help Americans striving to return to work by streamlining unnecessary bureaucracy, increasing the effectiveness of job training programs, expanding local flexibility to tailor services to individual needs, and placing increased emphasis on basic skills in adult education programs."

"I'm hopeful the Senate will also act quickly so we can come together, produce a final bill that benefits all job seekers, and send it to President Bush for his signature," added McKeon.

The House rejected an amendment - on a bipartisan basis - that would have denied faith-based providers willing to help provide job training and other critical social services their rights under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The historic civil rights law explicitly protects the rights of religious organizations to take religion into account in their hiring practices, and former Democratic President Bill Clinton signed four laws explicitly allowing faith-based groups to staff on a religious basis when they receive federal funds.

President Bush noted in a speech yesterday that "one of the key reasons why many faith-based groups are so effective is a commitment to serve that is grounded in the shared values and religious identity of their volunteers and employees. In other words, effectiveness happens because people who share a faith show up to help a particular organization based on that faith to succeed."

"President Bush has worked tirelessly to remove barriers that needlessly discourage faith-based groups from bringing their talents and compassion to federal initiatives that help Americans in need," said Boehner. "Our bill answers the President's call and takes advantage of the positive role faith-based institutions play in our communities in serving those most in need. We shouldn't be denying faith-based providers the opportunity to serve the neediest of our citizens."

The Job Training Improvement Act would build upon the significant reforms made in the bipartisan Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that was enacted in 1998. Specifically, it would help improve job training opportunities for Americans striving to get back to work by streamlining unnecessary bureaucracy, increasing cooperation among workforce development partners, protecting the rights of faith-based service providers willing to participate in the job training system, and incorporating the President's proposal to expand the role of community colleges in job training efforts.

The bill also includes a key provision sponsored by Rep. Jon Porter (R-NV) to authorize a pilot program allowing states and local workforce investment boards to offer personal reemployment accounts (PRAs) of up to $3,000 to help the neediest unemployed Americans return to work quickly.

"A strong job training system is a critical element in preparing U.S. workers for the high-demand, good-paying jobs of the 21st century," said Porter. "One aspect of any good job training system is providing unemployed workers with the means necessary to acquire new skills and ready themselves for careers in new, more lucrative fields."

PRAs offer a flexible, innovative approach that empowers workers to make choices appropriate to their circumstances. A similar proposal passed the House last year on a stand-alone basis and was also sponsored by Rep. Porter.

"Personal reemployment accounts are a common-sense solution for designed to help Americans still struggling to find a good job, and Rep. Porter deserves great credit for his leadership in passing this legislation," said Boehner.

Among the broad coalition supporting the Job Training Improvement Act are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Workforce Boards, the National Workforce Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, the American Society for Training & Development, the National Retail Federation, the National Restaurant Association, and the Financial Services Roundtable.

For more information, contact:

Julie Yue, Public Relations & Business Services Coordinator
LA Works
(626) 960-3964 ext. 2321
julie.yue@laworks.org

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