H3148 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 9, 2019 report the bill to the House with such SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Unemployment benefits are a vital amendments as may have been adopted. The Congress finds the following: lifeline for Americans who have lost previous question shall be considered as or- (1) The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Pub- their jobs, helping them keep the lights dered on the bill and amendments thereto to lic Law 115–123) improved program account- on and pay the rent while they search ability for effectively serving unemployed final passage without intervening motion ex- for work. But unemployment benefits cept one motion to recommit with or with- workers and made a significant new invest- out instructions. If the Committee of the ment in reemployment services. replace less than half of a worker’s Whole rises and reports that it has come to (2) Research shows the longer workers are paycheck, on average. Especially for no resolution on the bill, then on the next out of work, the harder it can be to maintain lower paid workers, who may not have legislative day the House shall, immediately their skills, professional network, and stable any savings to fall back on, the best after the third daily order of business under home life. outcome is to find a new job as quickly clause 1 of rule XIV, resolve into the Com- (3) Reemployment services give workers as possible. mittee of the Whole for further consideration who might otherwise struggle to find new When you lose your job, it can be dif- of the bill. jobs the tools that they need to get back to ficult to find a new one, especially if SEC. 9. The amendments referred to in sec- work—such as individualized career coun- you are older, haven’t looked for a job tion 8 of this resolution are as follows: seling and job search help as well as local in a long time, or have made mistakes (1) A proper amendment, if offered by the labor market information—and they can chair of the Committee on Ways and Means serve as an entry point to the workforce de- in the past. Reemployment services or his designee; and velopment system. give people looking for help the per- (2) A proper amendment, if offered by the (4) Reemployment services have been dem- sonal help they need to overcome those ranking minority member of the Committee onstrated to reduce the number of weeks barriers. on Ways and Means or his designee. that program participants receive unemploy- For instance, States might provide SEC. 10. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not ment benefits by improving their employ- assistance targeted to a claimant’s apply to the consideration of H.R. 2145. ment outcomes, including earnings. needs, things like customized career Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield (5) Unemployment benefits replace less and labor market information, help than half of working income, on average, so back the balance of my time, and I with application materials, or allowing workers who find new jobs quickly suffer less them to practice for tough job inter- move the previous question on the res- financial hardship. olution. (6) Combining targeted reemployment views. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The services with unemployment benefits helps Last year, we passed important legis- question is on ordering the previous keep people attached to the labor force who lation to improve reemployment serv- question. might otherwise become discouraged and ices and eligibility assessment grants, The question was taken; and the drop out. or RESEAs. Our legislation added im- Speaker pro tempore announced that (7) The Congressional Budget Office esti- portant worker protections, gave mates that, over time, investments in reem- the noes appeared to have it. States incentives to improve the qual- ployment services create savings for tax- ity of the services being provided for Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, on that payers and unemployment trust funds by re- I demand the yeas and nays. workers, and ensured that sufficient ducing spending on unemployment benefits. funding is available in every State and The yeas and nays were ordered. (8) Many different types of workers can territory. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- benefit from reemployment services. Reem- When I asked how RESEA grants ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- ployment services should be used to shorten the duration of unemployment for workers were being used in my home State of ceedings on this question will be post- Illinois, they told me about Tara, who poned. even if they are not projected to fully ex- haust their unemployment benefits. struggled to find a new job after she f SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR REEMPLOYMENT SERV- was laid off, both because her skills b 1315 ICES. weren’t up to date for the current labor Section 306(a) of the Social Security Act market and because she had a criminal ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER (42 U.S.C. 506(a)) is amended— record. The Illinois RESEA helped her PRO TEMPORE (1) by striking ‘‘individuals referred to re- upgrade her job skills and find a job employment services as described in section The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- 303(j)’’ and inserting ‘‘claimants for unem- with an employer willing to take a ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair ployment compensation, including claimants chance, a chance on someone who had will postpone further proceedings referred to reemployment services as de- made mistakes. She is now working today on motions to suspend the rules scribed in section 303(j),’’; and and going to school to get an associ- on which a recorded vote or the yeas (2) by striking ‘‘such individuals’’ and in- ate’s degree in welding, so she will and nays are ordered, or votes objected serting ‘‘such claimants’’. have better pay and benefits in the fu- to under clause 6 of rule XX. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ture. The House will resume proceedings ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- The BRIDGE for Workers Act would on postponed questions at a later time. linois (Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS) and the add important and needed flexibility to allow States to serve all workers who f gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. WALORSKI) each will control 20 min- could benefit from reemployment serv- BUILDING ON REEMPLOYMENT IM- utes. ices, not just those who are expected to PROVEMENTS TO DELIVER GOOD The Chair recognizes the gentleman run out of benefits before finding work. EMPLOYMENT FOR WORKERS from Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I include in the RECORD ACT GENERAL LEAVE a letter from the National Association Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. of State Workforce Agencies endorsing Speaker, I move to suspend the rules Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the BRIDGE for Workers Act. and pass the bill (H.R. 1759) to amend all Members have 5 legislative days to NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE title III of the Social Security Act to revise and extend their remarks and in- WORKFORCE AGENCIES, extend reemployment services and eli- clude extraneous material on the bill Washington, DC, March 13, 2019. under consideration. Hon. STEPHANIE MURPHY, gibility assessments to all claimants House of Representatives, for unemployment compensation, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Washington, DC. for other purposes, as amended. objection to the request of the gen- Hon. JACKIE WALORSKI, The Clerk read the title of the bill. tleman from Illinois? House of Representatives, The text of the bill is as follows: There was no objection. Washington, DC. H.R. 1759 Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Hon. XOCHITL TORRES SMALL, Speaker, I yield myself such time as I House of Representatives, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Washington, DC. resentatives of the United States of America in may consume. Hon. DARIN LAHOOD, Congress assembled, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1759, the BRIDGE for Workers Act, continues our com- House of Representatives, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. mittee’s bipartisan work to help Amer- Washington, DC. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Building on DEAR REPRESENTATIVES MURPHY, Reemployment Improvements to Deliver icans who are receiving earned unem- WALORSKI, TORRES SMALL AND LAHOOD: We Good Employment for Workers Act’’ or the ployment insurance benefits to get are writing on behalf of the National Asso- ‘‘BRIDGE for Workers Act’’. back to work faster. ciation of State Workforce Agencies

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09AP7.003 H09APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE April 9, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3149 (NASWA) to endorse the BRIDGE for Work- the benefit claims process. Bene- minutes to the gentlewoman from ers Act and express our appreciation of your ficiaries have become nothing more Florida (Mrs. MURPHY), the sponsor of bipartisan effort to authorize the Reemploy- than a number entered into a spread- the bill. ment Services and Eligibility Assessments sheet or into a computer database. Mrs. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise (RESEA) program as part of the Bipartisan today as the proud sponsor of this bill, Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115–245). During the last recession, we saw Until the passage of the Act, RESEA had that merely providing 99 weeks of un- the BRIDGE for Workers Act. I want to been limited to a widely-successful pilot employment benefits was not enough express my gratitude to the three grant program. Today, States around the na- to help individuals return to the work- original cosponsors of this bipartisan tion now have the ability to accelerate un- force. That is why, in 2012, we offered legislation: Congresswoman WALORSKI, employment insurance (UI) claimants’ tran- reemployment services and eligibility Congresswoman TORRES SMALL, and sition back to employment faster than non- assessments, known as RESEAs, to the Congressman LAHOOD. I also thank participants, which is particularly important long-term unemployed based on suc- Chairman NEAL and Ranking Member in an economy desperately in need of skilled BRADY for their leadership on the com- workers. cessful State efforts to engage UI bene- To enhance these efforts, we are pleased to ficiaries. mittee, and Chairman DANNY DAVIS see the proposed minor statutory fix pro- Since the recession, many States and his staff for all the work they have posed in the BRIDGE for Workers Act that have rebranded unemployment to re- done on this bill to prepare it for floor reflects your intent to ensure any UI claim- employment, and focused on efforts to consideration. ant, not just those most likely to exhaust promote rapid reemployment, because Mr. Speaker, no American worker their benefits, are eligible for RESEA serv- it is better for workers, their families, wants to be unemployed, and it is vital ices and assessments. The current language for our government to provide cost-ef- in Section 306 of Act needs to be modified to and an economy where we have 1 mil- lion more job openings than we have fective support during that challenging ensure this intent is actualized and while the and stressful time. Our focus should be Appropriations Committee made such a employed. modification in their FY 19 Labor-HHS Ap- The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 on giving unemployed workers the propriations bill, a permanent fix would pro- provides States with funding certainty, skills and resources required to return vide clarity and stability for states actively so they can invest in these services and to the workforce as quickly as possible. focused on helping claimants return to work serve greater numbers of workers. That We want everyone to feel the sense of expeditiously. is why H.R. 1759 is so important. It dignity that comes with earning a pay- NASWA is the national organization rep- check, providing for their family, and resenting all 50 state workforce agencies, makes permanent a technical correc- tion first made in FY 2019 appropria- contributing to our economy. D.C. and U.S. territories. These agencies de- One way we support unemployed tions. liver training, employment, career, and busi- workers is through the Reemployment ness services, in addition to administering This bill clarifies that reemployment the unemployment insurance, veteran reem- services and eligibility assessments Services and Eligibility Assessment ployment, and labor market information shall promote quicker reemployment program. This program, administered by the Department of Labor, makes an- programs. NASWA provides policy expertise, to shorten benefit durations for all un- nual grants to States and territories to shares promising state practices, and pro- employment insurance claimants, not motes state innovation and leadership in provide a range of services to recipi- just those likely to exhaust unemploy- workforce development. ents of unemployment benefits. Serv- ment benefits. Thank you for your consideration of this ices include individual career coun- In my home State of Indiana, RESEA request. seling, assistance with job searches, Sincerely, was redesigned in 2016 to assist UI and information on the local job mar- JON PIERPONT, claimants through early intervention ket. NASWA Board Presi- to aid in a quicker return to meaning- dent, Executive Di- Under current law, States can only ful employment and eliminate UI use these grants to assist workers who rector, Utah Depart- fraud. ment of Workforce are expected to exhaust their unem- Indiana’s RESEA program is two- Services. ployment benefits without having fold. The initial RESEA expects bene- SCOTT B. SANDERS, found a job. That is an unnecessary re- NASWA Executive Di- ficiaries to make an in-person visit to striction that prevents many unem- rector. a WorkOne Center on approximately ployed workers from getting valuable Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. the sixth week of benefits. During that assistance. Speaker, the BRIDGE for Workers Act visit, they attend an orientation to Our bill would remove this restric- will ensure that more workers who learn more about these services, and tion and allow States to use their need reemployment services get them. then meet with a RESEA counselor for grants to provide support to any indi- Those individuals and workers, like a one-on-one assessment interview to vidual receiving unemployment bene- Tara, will get back to work faster, in develop an individual reemployment fits, as long as the State believes these better jobs, and on a path to a better plan. That plan may include workshops services would help the individual re- future. to improve job search or interviewing turn to work more quickly. We pro- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to skills, or referrals to other supports or vided a 1-year patch in the 2019 appro- support the BRIDGE for Workers Act, services beyond the UI agency. priations bill to make this change tem- and I reserve the balance of my time. Any of the RESEA initial partici- porarily, but this bill would make it Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I pants who are still collecting at the permanent. yield myself such time as I may con- 15th week of their UI claim are con- This is a critical step because re- sume. tacted for reengagement as part of the search shows the longer workers are Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. subsequent RESEA program. These out of work, the harder it can be to 1759, the Building on Reemployment long-term claimants are brought in for maintain their skills, their profes- Improvements to Deliver Good Em- a one-on-one reassessment interview to sional networks, and a stable home ployment for Workers Act, also known determine if additional barriers to re- life. By combining targeted reemploy- as the BRIDGE for Workers Act, which employment are present. At any point ment services with unemployment in- I have worked on with my colleagues, in the process where it becomes appar- surance benefits, we will help keep peo- Representative MURPHY and Represent- ent that additional, more intensive ple attached to the labor force who ative LAHOOD. services are needed, the customer then might otherwise become discouraged This legislation builds upon the Bi- moves into the workforce system to and give up looking for a job. partisan Budget Act of 2018, where we gain more skills. In my home State of Florida, it is es- made a significant step forward in RESEAS are a valuable reemploy- timated this bill could provide up to helping those unemployed, through no ment tool for those who have lost their 25,000 additional individuals claiming fault of their own, by pairing unem- job, through no fault of their own. unemployment benefits each week with ployment benefits with services. Again, I urge support of H.R. 1759, access to reemployment services. Over the last few decades, there has and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my been a focus on automation that has Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. colleagues to support the bipartisan removed all human interaction from Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 4 BRIDGE for Workers Act.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09AP7.006 H09APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H3150 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 9, 2019 Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I their support on this legislation, and I While the intent of last year’s law yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from urge its passage in the House. was to allow job counselors to consult Illinois (Mr. LAHOOD). b 1330 with unemployed individuals as soon as Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank possible, oftentimes implementation of Mrs. WALORSKI for her hard work on Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. the law led to this happening only in this particular piece of legislation. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- cases where unemployment benefits Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong tlewoman from California (Ms. JUDY were set to expire. support of H.R. 1759, the BRIDGE for CHU). Today’s bill realigns reemployment Workers Act, also known as the Build- Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. services and eligibility assessment ing on Reemployment Improvements to Speaker, I rise to support the BRIDGE with the original intent of their mis- Deliver Good Employment for Workers Act, which would ensure that all unem- sion to assist unemployed individuals Act. I am also proud to join Congress- ployment insurance beneficiaries could as soon as possible to get people back woman MURPHY, Congresswoman use reemployment service grants to get to work. TORRES SMALL, and Congressman back to work sooner. Currently, only I know, in my district, case managers DAVIS, my colleague from Illinois, in unemployed individuals who are likely at the Workforce Centers of South Cen- being part of this bipartisan legisla- to exhaust their unemployment bene- tral Kansas provide a critical service tion. fits have access to these grants. connecting people with jobs or skills Since becoming a member of the I know this change will make an im- training to further their careers. Ways and Means Committee, I have pact in my district. In Pasadena, Cali- At a time when our economy is grow- been focused on closing the JOBS Act, fornia, the Employment Development ing at historic rates and we have more improving workforce development, and Department administers this program, job openings than ever before, the work removing barriers to employment. which offers an orientation to dis- these centers provide is extremely im- It is incumbent upon our Federal located workers. At the orientations, portant to help make sure all Ameri- Government, in coordination with these clients are given a tour of all the cans can participate in this economic States and local governments, to en- services available, including partner revival. sure that those looking for a job have services under the Workforce Innova- I want to thank my fellow Ways and the necessary tools and skills they tion and Opportunity Act, and they are Means Committee members for work- need to get back into the workforce. then able to pick out a service that ing to bring this bill to the floor, and Last Congress, we worked in a bipar- best fits their needs. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. tisan fashion to codify into law the Re- But this change would allow all indi- Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gen- employment Services and Eligibility viduals to have access to this program tlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. MOORE), Assessments program, bolstering its and will help coordinate services better so that staff can help these individuals a member of our subcommittee funding and improving the effective- Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I want to so that they don’t have to figure it out ness. These reemployment services in- thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. clude career counseling, resume sup- on their own, and then more dislocated DANNY K. DAVIS). workers in my community could find port, individualized reemployment Mr. Speaker, I am absolutely de- work more quickly. plans, and access to trainings for those lighted to rise in support of H.R. 1759, It would help people like Hector. Just receiving unemployment insurance. the Building on Reemployment Im- last week, I met with the Los Angeles The goal of this program is to pro- provements to Deliver Good Employ- Workforce Development Board and mote rapid reemployment and, ulti- ment for Workers Act, also known as they told me his story. mately, shorten benefit durations for the BRIDGE for Workers Act. all unemployment insurance claim- Hector lost his job as an account I do want to congratulate the authors manager, where he was making $44.71 ants, not just those most likely to ex- of this bill, Mrs. WALORSKI and my col- per hour. This forced him to seek pub- haust all benefits. league Mrs. MURPHY, for their effort in This bill makes a technical correc- lic assistance to make ends meet for putting this forward. tion to ensure that States have the himself and his family. This bill aims to provide workers re- flexibility to provide reemployment Through the help of the staff at the ceiving unemployment benefits the services to all insurance claimants East Los Angeles/West San Gabriel support they need to not only get back from a variety of backgrounds and help Valley America’s Job Center of Cali- into the workforce as soon as possible, them return to work more quickly. fornia, Hector was able to receive a re- but to prevent them from being unem- This legislation builds on the recent ferral for an interview with the ployed in the first place. law that improved the reemployment Maintco Corporation and was provided This legislation is so important be- service program and will ensure that a bus pass that enabled him to get to cause it would extend reemployment those in need of these services will be the interview. He was able to quickly services and eligibility assessments to able to access them. secure employment as a finance con- all claimants of unemployment bene- With over 7 million unfilled jobs in troller and is now making $55 an hour, fits, rather than limiting these benefits this country, it is crucial we work with which is $11 more than when he lost his to only those who are expected to run our States, including my home State of job. out of benefits. Helping all unemploy- Illinois, to provide the necessary re- We must pass this bill to make sure ment insurance claimants reenter the sources to fill these jobs. Finding that individuals who lose their jobs are workforce is vital for a robust economy skilled workers is one of the number not out of the workforce for too long. I that will only thrive with a skilled one issues in my district and many dis- applaud my colleague, STEPHANIE MUR- workforce. tricts across the country: finding PHY, for introducing this bill, and I Mr. Speaker, research shows that the enough relief welders, truck drivers, urge my colleagues to vote for it. longer workers are out of work, the construction workers, machinists, Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I harder it can be to maintain their nurses, technicians, just to name a few. yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from skills. Reemployment services equip Empowering individuals to get off Kansas (Mr. ESTES). workers with important tools, such as the sideline and back into the work- Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the individualized career counseling and force is something this body should al- gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. job search assistance, to find a job well ways strive to achieve. Every week WALORSKI) for yielding. matched to their skills and experience that a person is out of work, through Mr. Speaker, I want to mention that more quickly. This helps to stabilize no fault of their own, is a week too I, too, rise today in support of H.R. families’ income. long. This bipartisan fix to reemploy- 1759, the BRIDGE for Workers Act. These are the kinds of services that ment will help these individuals get This technical correction bill builds on we need to invest in as a nation, espe- back to receiving what they want the progress we made in last year’s cially since we know that not all boats most: a job and a paycheck. budget act to provide reemployment are rising in this economy. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues services to help get more people back In my own State of Wisconsin, fund- on the Ways and Means Committee for to work faster and easier. ing to the Department of Workforce

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09AP7.033 H09APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE April 9, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3151 Development’s Reemployment Services That is why I am proud to help lead At a time with more than a million Program was bolstered for fiscal year the BRIDGE for Workers Act, which more jobs than we actually have unem- 2019, with an increase of nearly $722,000. will help unemployed individuals find a ployed, this effort is especially critical. Already, we have seen improvements in job faster so that they can provide for This bill gives States the flexibility the program’s effectiveness for Wiscon- their families and get back on their they need to make reemployment serv- sinites in need of just a little bit of feet as soon as possible. ices a great success. extra assistance with finding suitable This would fix a flaw in the current Again, I urge support of H.R. 1759, employment. law that limits reemployment services and I yield back the balance of my Mr. Speaker, I would also note that to only those expected to remain un- time. the BRIDGE for Workers Act was a bi- employed after their benefits run out. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. partisan effort, so important for get- Reemployment services are essential, Speaker, I yield myself the balance of ting things done. We are pleased with as they give people without a job the my time. the overwhelming cooperation on both tools they need to get back to work Mr. Speaker, I came to this session sides of the aisle, and I urge my col- through programs offering targeted job with the simple notion of coming to do leagues to support its passage. search assistance, career counseling, a job and to go do my work. Listening Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, hav- and interview and resume workshops. to my colleagues’ representations and ing no other speakers, I reserve the With greater access to these services, their articulation of experiences and balance of my time. unemployed individuals will be more what this bill really means, I am re- Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. likely to find a job faster and rejoin newed, and I am delighted because it is Speaker, may I inquire as to how much the workforce. an important bill, seriously important. time I have remaining. This bill is also cost effective. Since Yes, in many places the economy is The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- it allows States to use their reemploy- good; people are able to work. But tleman from Illinois has 9 minutes re- ment services grants more effectively, bridges connect and transport, and this maining. individuals will return to work bridge connects people to the oppor- Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. quicker, which will generate more sav- tunity to get a job, to go back to work, Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gen- ings for our government. to be able to take care of their fami- tlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. When Americans who want to work lies, to have money so that their chil- TORRES SMALL), a cosponsor of this hard get the support they need to do dren can go to college or they can sus- bill. tain themselves while their daughter is Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. just that, we all succeed. I encourage completing her education. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my my colleagues on both sides of the aisle full support for H.R. 1759, the BRIDGE to support this legislation and help un- b 1345 employed Americans across our Nation for Workers Act, led by Representa- Mr. Speaker, I commend my col- tives Murphy, Walorski, LaHood, and get back on their feet. Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, hav- leagues, Mrs. MURPHY and Ms. TORRES myself. SMALL; the ranking member of the sub- Mr. Speaker, my State of New Mex- ing no other speakers, I reserve the balance of my time. committee, Mrs. WALORSKI; and Mr. ico continues to suffer from one of the LAHOOD, my colleague from Illinois, highest unemployment rates in the Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentle- for their ingenuity, creativity, and for country. In one county in my district, the introduction of this tremendous the unemployment rate is 17 percent. woman from Alabama (Ms. SEWELL). Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speak- piece of legislation. As lawmakers, we must prioritize Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- policies that will help counties across er, I am proud to stand as a member of this subcommittee to support the leagues to support this legislation, and the Nation like Luna County combat I yield back the balance of my time. systemic problems that are preventing BRIDGE for Workers Act. Mr. Speaker, no person wants to be The SPEAKER pro tempore. The a swift return to the workforce. question is on the motion offered by Research shows that the longer without a job. I think that the hardest and most important thing that we as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. workers are out of work, the harder it DANNY K. DAVIS) that the House sus- can be to maintain their skills and the Members of Congress can do is to sup- port the American worker to not only pend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. more likely workers will fall out of the 1759, as amended. labor force entirely. stay employed and find jobs, but, when they have to lose their job, that they The question was taken. When I was in college, my dad lost The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the are helped to be retrained—and that is his job to funding cuts. My parents and opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being exactly what this bill will do. I had just taken out loans so that I in the affirmative, the ayes have it. This bill will provide better reem- could go to college. I remember sitting Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. ployment services. Right now, they are in class, worried. I was homesick, and I Speaker, on that I demand the yeas limited. By expanding it, we will help felt powerless to do anything to help and nays. American workers who are unemployed my family through that difficult time. The yeas and nays were ordered. My dad is one of the hardest working get back to work quicker and faster. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- I want to acknowledge that this is a people I know. On his own, he got the ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- bipartisan bill. It is exactly what the training he needed to find a job in our ceedings on this motion will be post- American people need to see us do, hometown, but it took years. We all poned. made sacrifices in the meantime. which is to help workers maintain I worked multiple jobs, and I grad- their dignity by not only staying em- f uated in 3 years to help limit that debt, ployed but, when they lose their job, TAXPAYER FIRST ACT OF 2019 and I took on my parents’ loan pay- getting reemployed. Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to ments to help out. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to suspend the rules and pass the bill Now my dad is a schoolbus driver, support this bipartisan piece of legisla- (H.R. 1957) to amend the Internal Rev- and the kids he drives to school, the tion and want to thank the chairman enue Code of 1986 to modernize and im- colleagues he serves as a union presi- of our subcommittee and the ranking prove the Internal Revenue Service, dent, and our community are all better member of our subcommittee for bring- and for other purposes, as amended. because of the work that he does. I just ing this bipartisan bill to the floor. The Clerk read the title of the bill. wish he had found his second calling Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I have The text of the bill is as follows: earlier. no other speakers. I am prepared to H.R. 1957 This bill will help. The earlier we re- close, and I yield myself the balance of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- train people, the earlier they find new my time. resentatives of the United States of America in careers. This helps people in their most Mr. Speaker, as you have heard Congress assembled, vulnerable moments. It supports fami- today, the ability to pair benefits with SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; ETC. lies, and it builds stronger commu- services can have a profound effect on (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as nities. the lives of workers and their families. the ‘‘Taxpayer First Act of 2019’’.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:22 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K09AP7.034 H09APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE