Take Action on "extenders" bill.
Take Action
How: Ask your Members of Congress to support four key job training and worker support strategies as part of the "extenders" bill being shaped this week on Capitol Hill.
Why: It is vitally important that Congress act immediately to ensure that U.S. workers continue to have access to the services and supports that help limit the hardships created by periods of unemployment and ensure that workers can gain the skills they need to go back to work and help rebuild our economy.
Help Include Job Training and Worker Support Programs in “Extenders” Bill
Last week, the unthinkable happened - Congress allowed critical unemployment insurance (UI) and COBRA health subsidies established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expire, leaving as many as 1.2 million out-of-work Americans and their families without access to income support and other key services.
The Senate attempted to pass a limited five-week extension of these programs last Friday, but these efforts were defeated when a single Senator – Jim Bunning of Kentucky - opted to filibuster the legislation. The Senate is now working to develop an “extenders” bill that, among other provisions, would reauthorize UI/COBRA through the end of 2010. Take action now to ensure that key job training and worker support strategies are included in the bill.
Given this latest example of the paralyzing political dynamics in the Senate, it is becoming increasingly clear that Members of Congress must hear from their constituents that rebuilding our nation’s economy remains one of the highest priorities in the U.S. To rebuild, workers must have access to supports that help limit the hardships of unemployment (especially extended unemployment). To rebuild, workers must be able to gain the skills they need for jobs in a new economy. The timing is urgent, as Congress is working on this bill right now.
We need you to weigh in with your Members of Congress in both the House and Senate today and urge them to include four key provisions as part of an “extenders” bill—so-called because it includes extensions of a number of expiring and/or already expired provisions created under the Recovery Act and other legislation—being shaped this week on Capitol Hill:
Extending UI/COBRA benefits through 2010 – Extended benefits created under the Recovery Act expired on Sunday, February 28. Unless Congress acts immediately, 1.2 million people will lose their UI benefits in March. Rather than continue a series of short-term extensions, National Skills Coalition and other organizations are calling for a year-long extension of these benefits. Not only is a long-term reauthorization necessary to avoiding future disruptions in services for unemployed workers, but the Economic Policy Institute estimates that extending though the end of the year will create 800,000 new jobs.
Extending the TANF Emergency Fund for one year, and increasing the federal reimbursement rate for subsidized job programs – Established under the Recovery Act, the TANF Emergency Fund provides for 80 percent federal reimbursement of certain state TANF expenditures, including subsidized employment programs. As many as 120,000 such jobs will be created by September 2010, when the program is currently set to expire. Congress should extend the program for an additional year to support these efforts and increase the federal reimbursement rate to help cash-strapped states take advantage of the program.
Investing in On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs – OJT programs allow workers to earn a paycheck while developing career-enhancing skills, and allow employers to offset some upfront costs for hiring and training new employees through a targeted wage subsidy. Such strategies allow workers to go off of unemployment immediately, while still gaining skills critical to their success in the labor market. Congress should provide dedicated funding under the Workforce Investment Act to support OJT programs on the local level.
Investing in Summer Youth programs – Funding for Summer Youth programs under the Recovery Act led to more than 300,000 young workers participating in subsidized work experience and job training programs in 2009. If state and local workforce officials are to replicate the success of this program in 2010, they must begin planning now—meaning Congress must move quickly to appropriate the necessary funds.
Click here to send a letter to your Members of Congress, and help ensure that job training and employment services programs are a part of the extenders bill.
