Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, Job Corps is meant to be an outlet to help disadvantaged youth gain the skills necessary to achieve a good education and the skills needed for the workforce, but the failures of the program do a disservice to students, staff, and the American taxpayers who pay for the programs. For years this federally funded program has struggled to ensure the safety and security of students. There is ample documentation about the systemic deficiencies in Job Corps, and over 30 different government reports and audits have raised concerns over the safety and security of participants. The administration's proposed changes to Job Corps are an important first step in reforming the program so that it actually works for students and efficiently utilizes taxpayer funds. The Department of Labor's mission of preparing at-risk youth for meaningful participation in the workforce and skills development for career success makes them a better choice for running the 25 Job Corps Centers that have previously been operated by USDA. The transition of these Civilian Conservation Centers, or CCCs, will allow USDA to strengthen its focus on improving our Nation's forests and grasslands while also remaining a key partner in the DOL-run Job Corps centers going forward. In short, the administration's efforts would allow more students to participate in the Job Corps program at high performing centers and in doing so protect taxpayer money.…”