Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5587, which addresses the most urgent workforce challenge in our Nation by updating and strengthening career and technical education programs at the secondary education level. First, the good news. All across the country, there is an exciting and growing need for trade and technical skills to fill jobs that young people can build a career and life around. Advanced manufacturing opportunities in aerospace, maritime, and even health care are happening from coast to coast. And the question of the day for many employers is whether our education and job training systems are ready to fill the need. Recent updates to K-12 and job training programs signed into law by President Obama in 2014 and 2015 built a positive platform to address this challenge, and passage of this bill for technical programs will add to that capability. In southeastern Connecticut where I hail from, the U.S. Navy's demand signal for new Virginia class and Columbia class submarines is projected to require up to 14,000 new hires in metal trades, design, and engineering over the next 10 years. For my region, passage of this bill is not just feel-good legislation but a critical, existential requirement. I strongly urge passage of this bill and swift concurrence by the Senate.”