Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6655, the bipartisan
Stronger Workforce for America Act, with Congressman Rick W. Allen's (GA-12) support.
Included in H.R. 6655 are provisions from Congressman Allen's
Startup Act,
introduced last year, to incorporate entrepreneurial skills development training into the current workforce development system.
Prior to House passage of H.R. 6655, Congressman Allen delivered the following remarks on the House floor:
"I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina and our Chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee for giving me this opportunity to rise in support of H.R. 6655, the bipartisan Stronger Workforce for America Act.
"Having built a small business from the ground up, I have experienced firsthand just how hard it can be to find skilled and qualified workers, and as I travel the 12th District of Georgia, the number one issue I hear about from business owners and job creators is workforce development.
"That’s why, with nearly nine million unfilled jobs across the nation, it is imperative we move past the status quo and recognize that many good-paying jobs do not require a traditional four-year college degree.
"H.R. 6655 will make much-needed improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to ensure federal dollars are dedicated to upskilling the workforce and making the shift to skills-based hiring.
"Additionally, I am proud that provisions from my Startup Act were included in this critical legislation to incorporate entrepreneurial skills development training into the current workforce development system.
"One of the greatest honors of my life has been the ability to provide hardworking Americans with the dignity and respect that comes from gainful employment and the means to provide for their families, their communities, their church, and yes, this nation.
"The traditional working family is the greatest economic engine ever created. By bridging the gap between the education and business communities, we can equip our workforce with the tools needed to spark innovation, spur economic growth, and achieve the American Dream.
"I urge support for this bipartisan Stronger Workforce for America Act, and with that, I yield back."
