Donald Norcross: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 5587. First, I want to thank the Members for coming…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 5587. First, I want to thank the Members for coming together and certainly their staffs for recognizing the important piece of this legislation where we are going. As we heard before, a 4-year college is a great pathway for some, but it certainly isn't for everyone. I, myself, am a product of the other 4-year school, an apprenticeship out of the IBEW that allowed me for many, many years to support my family being an electrician. In New Jersey, my home State, 7 out of 10 jobs that are coming up in the next few years will require less than that 4-year degree, and that reemphasizes why we are here today. This important bill will go a long way to provide students with alternative pathways to earn a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. I, along with Representative McKinley, formed the Congressional Building Trades Caucus to work on these issues, and we will be meeting later this week to discuss these important items. Apprenticeships are a partnership between employers and employees. They come together and will increase the outcomes. Once again, I want to thank all those involved for their hard work. I urge the Senate to take this up quickly.”