Glenn Grothman: “There are several issues of importance that I don't feel this body has spent enough time discussing, and unless they are…”

“There are several issues of importance that I don't feel this body has spent enough time discussing, and unless they are addressed could result in a great deal of discomfort for a lot of Americans. The first is the issue concerning sheltered workshops, also known as work centers or community rehabilitation programs. Perhaps you folks are familiar with them. They are places where people of different abilities frequently work, frequently doing packaging, maybe light manufacturing. Because of the different abilities that some people have, they have to get what are called 14(c) certificates and may work for less than minimum wage. Disabilities they may have would include things like perhaps spina bifida or similar things that make it a little bit more difficult for them to work. Nevertheless, throughout my political career I have always enjoyed touring the sheltered workshops in part because the employees that work there are so proud of the work they are doing and so proud of the fact that they are able to earn a paycheck and purchase some of their own clothes, perhaps purchase gifts for their relatives. Right now these sheltered workshops are under attack in the Build Back Better bill, and that bill may easily pass some time in the next year. I am afraid even the majority of Democrats who voted for the bill are unaware that these sheltered workshops are under attack. There are two reasons why people want to get rid of sheltered workshops.…”