On the recordFebruary 10, 2011
First, I thank Senator Brown and others who have helped us in this battle. Just a couple of words about trade adjustment assistance as it relates to Pennsylvania and, more importantly, Pennsylvania workers. As many people know, the trade adjustment assistance provisions were enhanced by amendments made to the program in 2009. It was updated in two critical ways. First, it expanded coverage to more workers, including service workers and workers whose jobs have been offshored to places around the world. The change was essential because it made workers whose jobs were lost to China and India eligible for assistance which these days is an essential safeguard for those workers. The amendments also increased and improved training, health coverage, and other benefits available to trade adjustment assistance certified workers. What does that mean for Pennsylvania? The 587 certifications issued in Pennsylvania cover an estimated 67,000 workers. To give one example, General Electric announced in 2009 that they would be cutting 1,500 jobs. We have worked with them and others to get them through this period. They recently got a solution in the form of trade adjustment assistance. As a result of their certification, the workers have been able to go to school, feed their families, and contribute to the local economy. So General Electric in Pennsylvania is hiring again with the help of trade adjustment assistance.
