Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to ensure that America's workers have every opportunity to get ahead. Apprenticeships are a great way for hardworking folks to hone their trade or learn new skills and earn a higher wage because of it. In fact, graduates of registered apprenticeship programs enjoy an average starting wage of $70,000. And 94 percent of graduates are employed upon completion. Yet, less than 1 percent of the American workforce have completed an apprenticeship. This disconnect disadvantages our workers and puts us behind other industrialized nations. The National Apprenticeship Act will address this gap in our workforce development system by providing for almost 1 million new apprenticeship positions over 5 years. And here is the really important part, it will generate $10.6 billion net benefit to taxpayers. So it is great for workers, great for our economy, and great for taxpayers. These investments will give our economy the booster shot it needs to recover from COVID-19 while giving a new generation of workers the skills they need to achieve their American Dream. I know about this experience firsthand. In my State, the Laborers' International Union of North America has created really a national model for apprenticeship programs. It has improved the lives of thousands and thousands of Rhode Islanders. I include in the Record a letter of support from the Laborers' International Union of North America.…”