calls for greater and more effective federal investments in our nation’s skills, so more U.S. businesses can find the skilled workers they need to compete globally, and so all U.S. workers can share in and contribute to our country’s economic prosperity.
unemployed U.S. workers as of February 2013
U.S. adults lack basic literacy skills
of U.S. employers report being unable to fill current openings due to skills gaps
increase in Workforce Investment Act Title I participation since 2009
of job openings in 2008-2018 require postsecondary education
On May 20, CIAW sent a letter to members of the House Appropriations Committee expressing strong objections to the proposed fiscal year (FY) 2014 302(b) allocation for the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill. The proposed allocation is 18.6 percent below the final FY 2013 sequester level and 22.2 percent below the FY 13 pre-sequester Continuing Resolution level. This will result in absolutely devastating cuts to programs that protect American’s health, prepare workers for jobs, and educate our nation’s students. Cuts of this magnitude will cause real and irreparable harm to tens of millions of Americans. Read the full letter to learn more.
On March 20, the Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce sent a letter urging Congress to support the FY 2014 Senate budget resolution offered by Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA). Senator Murray’s budget resolution adopts a balanced approach to deficit reduction that cancels the damaging sequester for both defense and non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs, as opposed to the House budget resolution that would burden NDD programs with an additional $1.1 trillion in cuts.
In addition, the Murray budget resolution includes $10 billion in new funding for federal job training programs. Workers and employers alike rely on the federally-supported workforce development system to meet their skilled workforce needs and it is vitally important that Congress continue to invest in and improve this system. Read the full letter to learn more about the Senate budget resolution.
On March 20, Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce sent a letter to Congress in opposition of the 2014 budget proposal passed by the House Budget Committee last week. The resolution reduces federal investments in non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs by $1.1 trillion below the current Budget Control Act spending caps over the next 10 years. It fails to replace the current NDD sequester—although it would replace the defense sequester—and instead would seek to cut NDD programs by an additional $700 billion below post-sequester levels. In addition, the resolution would put postsecondary education out of reach for millions of low-income individuals by slashing funding for the Pell grant program. Read the full letter to learn more.
The approach to deficit reduction has thus far been unbalanced. The Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce disputes the claim that spending on NDD programs is “out of control.” In fact, these programs represent a small and shrinking share of the federal budget and of our overall economy.
As Congress works to address the debt ceiling, complete the fiscal year (FY) 2013 spending bills, undo sequestration, and begin the FY 2014 budget process, CIAW urges all Members to support a balanced approach that does not include further cuts to non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs. Read the full letter to learn more.