Katie Porter: “Mr. Chairman, total discretionary funding for the Department of Labor is $8.4 billion. This is a reduction of $1.1…”

“Mr. Chairman, total discretionary funding for the Department of Labor is $8.4 billion. This is a reduction of $1.1 billion below fiscal year 1995's revised amount and a reduction of $3 billion below the President's budget request. In addition, the bill includes $1.9 billion for entitlement spending in the Labor Department. This is a reduction of $583 million below fiscal year 1995 and $3 million below the budget request. The budget includes substantial reductions in certain job training programs, including elimination of funding for summer jobs program, also previously rescinded because of the general lack of effectiveness. This decision reflects the need to prioritize programs and reduce spending, as well as the fact that the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities is in the process of consolidating these very programs. We also believe that these job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act are, on the whole, less than effective, in that taxpayer funding is not getting full value out of these funds. Job Corps funding, however, has increased $31 million over last year, which will allow funding for four new centers which were approved in prior years and are opening in 1996.”