If our workforce system focuses on today's jobs only, then we won't be equipped for the economy of the future.

As my colleague from Washington Ms. Jayapal pointed out, reports show that women of color have been disproportionately affected.

the wages and the benefits employers are offering are too, too low they don't even make the positions attractive to potential candidates.

Congress creates pathways when we remove unnecessary barriers and offer services that help workers build skills.

70 percent is not a passing grade, and we can do better.

Today, we meet for our second bipartisan hearing on reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA.

I will point to one example of my former boss, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who has the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project.

We have to fund it. We have to make it programming, and someone has to be in charge of and accountable for this work.

I look forward to continuing today's discussion with all of my colleagues as we work toward providing all young people with the support, they need to lead fulfilling lives and strengthen our communities.

Now is the time for us to build on the broad support of the WIOA and strengthen these critical services for the millions of young people who urgently need them, particularly now during this pandemic.

We get what we pay for. No program can be expected to meet the needs of our communities while we consistently underfund it every year.