Robert Hurt votes to reform federal workforce training programs

Congressman Robert Hurt (R-Virginia) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which modernizes and streamlines our federal workforce development programs to help jobseekers, employers, and workers alike.

“It is unacceptable that approximately 12 million Americans remain out of work even as millions of job openings continue to go unfilled.  The federal government currently operates 47 different workforce programs, many of which are duplicative or do not produce results.  As our country continues to grapple with a national debt of over $17 trillion and with too many Americans out of work, it is crucial that we improve our workforce development programs and put taxpayers’ dollars to better use.  The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act cuts bureaucratic red tape, eliminates unnecessary waste by streamlining our job training programs, and gives workers access to a more effective system of job training programs focused on providing them with the skills employers are seeking.”