Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this amendment further expands the existing 80-year- old apprenticeships system to now include apprenticeships in ``media and entertainment.'' Instead of expanding this program that is already bloated with bureaucracy, time-consuming paperwork, and overly burdensome requirements, this bill should be focusing on programs that push employer-developed apprenticeships that will help our workforce expand and thrive. I cannot help but ask: What do apprenticeships in media and entertainment have to do with competing with the Chinese Communist Party? The CCP has dramatically increased its STEM workforce. One report predicts a 300 percent increase in the number of overall STEM graduates in China versus a 30 percent increase in the United States. Instead of focusing on training the next Meryl Streep, we should be focused on developing America's STEM workforce, especially at the skilled technical workforce level. If we can't expand the STEM workforce through initiatives like innovative apprenticeship models that give employees the skills they need, we won't be able to maintain the talent base that supports key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and defense. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to oppose this amendment and I reserve the balance of my time.”