U.S. House of Representatives Approves H.R. 803 The Skills Act (March 15, 2013)

Congressman John Kline, Chairman

March 15, 2013 Latest News House Approves Job Training Reform Legislation The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills Act (H.R. 803). Sponsored by Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the legislation will help workers access the education and training they need to compete in today’s economy.“After a decade of debate and delay, Congress is another step closer to approving comprehensive job training reform legislation,” said Chairman Kline. “At a time when 12 million Americans are unemployed and the national debt is spiraling out of control, workers and taxpayers can no longer afford the failed status quo. The SKILLS Act will remove the bloated bureaucracy standing between job seekers and the training they need to get back to work. It is time for the Senate to act so reform can become reality.” “I am delighted the House has advanced the SKILLS Act,” said Rep. Foxx. “Americans deserve a workforce development system that is more efficient, more accountable, and more responsive to the needs of our workplaces. This important legislation heeds the president’s call to cut through the maze of confusing and ineffective workforce development programs. We must ensure taxpayer dollars are supporting workers instead of unnecessary bureaucracy. I urge our Senate colleagues to put forward their own ideas and help move this process forward.” Support for this important legislation continues to grow; governors,community colleges, and job creators have endorsed reforms in the SKILLS Act.  Read More. What They're Saying: Governors Support GOP Job Training Reform Efforts The nation’s governors are voicing their support for reforms included in the SKILLS Act (H.R. 803), legislation to create a more transparent and effective workforce development system. As the leaders note in letters to the committee, H.R. 803 will expand decision-making at the local level, allowing states to eliminate waste and implement programs tailored to the needs of local employers and job seekers. “[The SKILLS Act] makes government more effective in that it simplifies and consolidates duplicative and overlapping job training programs. By streamlining federal workforce training programs, the SKILLS Act would reduce the administrative burden that current law places on the states. It also provides states with the needed flexibility to tailor job training programs, acknowledging that the needs of New Jersey are surely different than those of other states.” – The Honorable Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey  “The SKILLS Act would provide a more transparent and versatile system, one that offers the opportunity to move forward with Virginia’s goals for education and workforce credential attainment, and one that will allow more governors to better address the skills gap in targeted industry sectors. This will result in more Virginians finding jobs and more Virginia businesses increasing opportunities.” – The Honorable Bob McDonnell, Governor of Virginia Read More ​​​  Congressman John Kline, Chairman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 15, 2013 CONTACT: Press Office (202) 226-9440 VIDEO RELEASE: Kline Urges Colleagues to Reject the Failed Status Quo WASHINGTON, D.C. – Moments ago, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) urged his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote against the status quo and support the SKILLS Act. The current workforce development system is riddled with red tape, making it difficult for workers and job creators to receive the support they need to succeed. While the failures of this system are clear, House Democrats have proposed legislation that creates more programs, more bureaucracy, and more confusion:                                                                               What have the Democrats proposed? Well, let’s take a look at that. They took the current system, they boldly eliminated one program that hasn’t been funded since 2003, and they added six more.  I don’t see how that helps us get where we need to go. I don’t see how that helps get the millions of unemployed back to work. I don’t see how that helps employers who have 3.6 million openings get those jobs filled. To view the current job training system, click here. To view House Democrats' vision for job training reform, click here. To view House Republicans' vision for job training reform, click here. To learn more about the SKILLS Act, visit edworkforce.house.gov/SKILLSAct.