House Passes Bonamici-Backed Bill to Support Workers, Increase Local Job Opportunities

WASHINGTON, DC [5/17/22] – Today the House passed legislation backed by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, to update and strengthen the landmark Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Video of Bonamici's remarks in support of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 (WIOA) on the House floor can be viewed here.

"I rise in strong support of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022. This important legislation improves the existing statute in several critical ways," Bonamici said on the House floor. "First, this legislation formally authorizes sector partnerships. I have witnessed the significant benefits of sector partnerships, and one persuasive example in NW Oregon is the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center (OMIC), which develops and applies advanced metals manufacturing technologies in their R&D center, while educating an advanced manufacturing workforce in their training center run by Portland Community College. OMIC is an outstanding example of how sector partnerships between industry, higher education, and government can create new R&D outcomes, prepare workers, and fuel local economies.

"Second, this legislation will improve access to supportive services like access to tools, work attire, transportation, child care, and mentorship, which are crucial to helping workers stay in their training and in their workplace and to thrive.

"Third, this legislation will define and formally authorize funding for pre-apprenticeship programs. In Oregon, we have tremendous, successful programs like Oregon Tradeswomen that prepare women for careers in the trades through pre-apprenticeships. Despite the success of this program and others, funding has been extremely low. This legislation will help expand these life-changing programs and set participants up for success in apprenticeships and beyond. And these are lifechanging.

"And importantly, this legislation will make Job Corps more inclusive by requiring Job Corps center operators to implement a tiered disciplinary system instead of adhering to a zero-tolerance drug policy. It would expand the definition of ‘individuals with barriers to employment' to include historically disadvantaged communities. These changes will modernize Job Corps in important ways and it will better meet the needs of all communities.

"I urge my colleagues to support this WIOA reauthorization to help close the skills gap and to address the needs of working Americans. I again thank Chairman Scott for his leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor."

Bonamici supported the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act when it passed Congress in 2014, and has repeatedly led efforts to increase funding for its programs, including calling for a $15.1 billion investment in workforce funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bonamici's PARTNERS Act, which will help small- and medium-sized businesses create partnerships to improve workforce training, recently passed the House as part of the America COMPETES Act.

A fact sheet with more details about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 can be found here.

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