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[Pages H2508-H2509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATE OF AMERICAN WORKFORCE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker) for 5 minutes.
Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about our economy and
the state of the American workforce.
With reforms enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as needed
regulatory relief, nearly every economic indicator is pointing up. The
latest U.S. jobs report shows our economy is at its strongest rate in
13 years. Unemployment is at a record low across the board. Wages are
growing at the fastest level in over a decade. Business investment is
strong. Best of all, American families are keeping more money in their
pockets. But new success brings a new set of challenges.
The number of job openings in the U.S. hit a record high last month
of 7.3 million. We have gone from, ``Where are the jobs?'' to, ``Where
are the workers?'' While it may seem positive that there are more jobs
open than workers to fill them, I fear that, without addressing the
needs of our workforce, we will stifle our incredible economic growth.
According to a study conducted by the National Federation of
Independent Business, 22 percent of business owners cite the difficulty
in finding workers as their single most important business problem. I
hear this from every employer I meet with in my district. The number of
job openings is staggering and must be addressed.
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In fact, every few months I meet with a group of staffing companies.
These individuals operate companies that fill positions ranging from
temporary to permanent work in various industries. Between these
staffing companies, they would be able to fill thousands of jobs today
if they could find the necessary workers. Every day, these positions go
unfilled and opportunities are lost.
To help alleviate this situation, I plan on introducing legislation
to help build a workforce pipeline.
One bill, the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, which I will be
introducing next week, encourages charitable donations for community-
based apprenticeship initiatives, career and technical education,
workforce development, and K-12 educational preparedness.
Enacting this proposed legislation will help meet the urgent need to
ensure the preparation of current and future workers for the changing
needs of the U.S. economy. Job creation and job preparation must go
hand in hand.
Another area we must evaluate to help fill out workforce shortages is
our Nation's visa system. Our current system spans the spectrum of
foreign work visas, but does not address a main driver of illegal
immigration.
My bill, the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act, would help
address the gap in the spectrum. This legislation will create a market-
driven immigration visa program targeted to workers in occupations that
do not require a college degree, otherwise defined as ``less skilled''
to do year-round, non-farm work, creating a new ``H-2D visa.'' This H-
2D visa would only go into effect if the unemployment rate is 5 percent
or lower in the metropolitan area where an employer is seeking
employees.
Moreover, this bill would implement a two-track system in which
employers and potential immigrant laborers are both required to receive
a permit to work in the U.S.
Much like our other visa programs, employers will have to prove they
are unable to hire a U.S. worker after undergoing the required market
tests. Employees are only allowed to work for an approved employer, at
the approved location, in the specific job that was approved, and all
employers will be required to use E-Verify.
While just a start, Mr. Speaker, I believe these bills will help
strengthen our workforce and help meet the needs of employers to
continue supporting our economic growth. I urge my colleagues to
support them and to help continue our country's track record of success
and keep us on the right economic path.
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