Congressman Krishnamoorthi Champions Historic Investment in Workforce Development Programs In Build Back Better Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to the release of the draft Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376), including nearly $35 billion for the workforce development programs, which the Congressman has fought for forcefully over the last several months.

"I strongly support the Build Back Better Act draft text released by the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes a historic investment in workforce development programs," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "Research by Moody's Analytics shows that the Build Back Better Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create millions of new jobs across America, and it is absolutely crucial that we provide the necessary investments in job training and employment services to meet the new demand for skilled workers."

The Build Back Better Act would invest $15 billion in existing workforce development programs, including career and technical education, dislocated workers programs for workers in declining industries, adult employment services and apprenticeships, as well as $4.6 billion for industry and sector partnership grants, which will help close the skills gap by aligning training programs with what businesses need from their workforce. The bill also includes nearly $20 billion for workforce programs specifically focused on addressing the impacts of climate change to help meet the workforce needs of our warming world.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has been a tireless champion of job training programs and career and technical education throughout his time in Congress. Representative Krishnamoorthi co-led the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, a landmark modernization of our national skills and career education programs which was signed into law in 2018. And in July of 2021, Congressman Krishnamoorthi led a letter signed by over 100 Members of Congress calling on congressional leadership to include robust funding for workforce development programs in the Build Back Better Act.