enjoy having you on, but we have to leave it there because the house is getting rid to gavel in. marcy kaptur, senior member on the appropriations committee. now we take viewers live to the house floor for gavel-to-gavel coverage. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2021] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] ses is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.] search the house will be in order of the the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. the clerk: the speaker's rooms, washington, d.c. february 5, 2021. i hereby appoint the honorable henry cuellar to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. signed, nancy pelosi, speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: the prayer will be offered by chaplain kibben. chaplain kibben: would you pray with me. sovereign god, intrude into our

deliberations. judge between the factions and be the arbiter of our disputes over budgets and partisan belligerence, deficits and debt, covid and conflicting interests. be our sword of rhetoric and ridicule into instruments of peaceful resolution. take our spears that we use to assault the character and core values of our colleagues and forge them into tools of cooperation and collaboration. open our eyes to the weapons of contempt and disrespect our nation has taken up which threaten to divide not just communities and families, but our very republic. and call upon us to break the cycle of insidious violence. quip us as the inhair tors of our country's noble purpose, leaders in our generation that we would demonstrate that the idea of a united states is

worthy of sacrificing our inclination for pride and pretense in favor of an attitude of mutual respect and unity of effort. we pray in the strength of your most holy name. amen. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 5-a-1-a of house resolution 8, the journal of the last day's proceedings is approved. the pledge of allegiance leb led by the gentleman from alabama, mr. carl. >> i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will entertain up to five requests for one-minute speeches on each side of the aisle.

for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from virginia seek recognition? >> i request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. >> mr. speaker, i rise today to honor the life, legacy, and advocacy of gabriel aldea. she was a tireless fighter for expanding access to health care for those with pre-existing conditions. she was born with a bladder the size of a thimble. she spent the first seven years of her life in and out of the hospital, a tenacious voice for reform and compassion. mrs. luria: she overcame this adversity and took specific engagement. she took a voice for those who too often cannot speak for themselves and inspiration for our community. i rise today to call on my colleagues to join me in honoring gabby's legacy by recommitting to expanding the value of access to health care

and fostering a more equitable community for this generation and generations to come. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from south dakota seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the body for one minute and revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection the gentleman is recognized for one minute 6. mr. johnson: thank you, mr. speaker. from supply chain issues to uncertain plieses it's been a tough time in cattle country. to make things worse there was a fire in lemon and it was big. it burned 16,000 acres of land used to feed south dakota cattle. the tough hand that so many have been dealt could not keep the south dakota stock bales coming together and donating bail -- bale after bail of hay to those ranchers . when asked why they came to the rescue, the president of our stock growers says well, nobody asks, we just do it.

that's part of our culture. part of our community. ladies and gentlemen of the house, that sentiment did not surprise me in the least. that's south dakota and that's what i call unity. mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> mr. speaker, today i rise to highlight the action of the bipartisan congressional steel caucus. earlier this week the steel caucus leaders of 47 other members and the caucus sent a letter to the biden-harris administration that expressed our strong support for the continuation of section 232 steel tariffs and quotas. the letter noted how we work hand in hand with industry and labor organizations and we recognize the negative impact that unfair trade and global steel overcapacity have had on my district and the nation over the years. these tariffs and quotas

implemented to protect our national security have resulted in significant reductions in imports. we must continue to do all we can to ensure that our nation supports the domestic steel industry and our american steel workers. i look forward to continuing to engage with the steel caucus members, all of my colleagues, and the biden harris administration to ensure that the american steel industry remains the foundation of our national economy and our national security. i thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from alabama seek recognition? >> good morning, mr. speaker. i would like one minute to pay honor to hammering hank aaron. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, sir. i rise today to honor the life and the legend of henry louis "hank" aaron a knowive of mobile, alabama. he's a baseball legend, respected not only for his performance on the field but also for being a civil rights

icon who helped pave the way for equality in professional sports. hank aaron is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. he became the first player in major league history to record 500 home runs and over 3,000 hits, and ultimately defeating babe ruth's home run record. hank aaron's leadership and character reflects the best of america values. and his legacy will live on for generations. and i'm proud to call him a fellow mobile an. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from new mexico seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. >> my district is home to breathtaking mountains, incredible diversity, and rich history. to understand my district you must know not only its beauty but also its covered and

promise. we must create opportunities in places like my district with tremendous challenges by endless potential. create opportunities for countless new mexicans who lost their jobs. create opportunities for essential workers who risk their lives to keep our country running and recognize that education is the key to realize the promise of our communities. that's why the first bill i co-ed the learning recovery act will create opportunities for the most educational disadvantaged students who are falling further behind because of the pandemic. this bill will address the disparities we know too well in new mexico. i rise to ask us to always work to empower our communities, protect my state's beauty, diversity, and people, and unleash the potential we know we have. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from minnesota seek recognition? >> seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. as we begin this new session of

congress, i rise today to honor the memory and legacy of my friend, minnesota congressman jim ramstad. for nearly two decades jim represented the people of minnesota's third congressional district, sadly after so many years of service to his country and community, jim lost his fight with parkinson's just a few months ago. jim was a true public servant, a lawmakers whose passion for his worker only made him more effective. he was tireless champion for any person who needed his help, even if they were a stranger. he was truly a leader guided by his compassion for others. although jim and i never served together, he was a personal friend of my wife and i for 40 years. and today his legacy shapes my work. as a fellow minnesotan i'm proud to continue his monumental work on a diction and mental health care by introducing legislation which will bring care to those who need it most. i'm also happy to support a bill to name the post office after jim. creating a physical memorial to his work and legacy in the state and the town that he

loved so much. the monument is a fitting tribute but his lasting legacy will always be the impact he made on millions of americans. mr. emmer: thank you, jim. you will be missed but never forgotten. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from nevada seek recognition? >> i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. and revise and extend my remarks. >> without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i rise in support of the national apprenticeship act of 2021. i started my career leading the culinary training academy in las vegas, the largest job training program in the state. mr. horsford: this experience instilled in me the importance of work force programs that create pathways for hardworking people to create good-paying jobs. passing this legislation is a vital step to begin our economic recovery by training nevadans for new careers in high demand fields, including at the westside education and training center in historic

west las vegas, which my office was just able to secure nearly $7 million to help build. by providing nearly one million additional apprenticeship opportunities over five years and adding $10.6 billion in net benefits to our economy, the national apprenticeship act will help working families and small businesses restore the financial security that was lost during the pandemic. as a co-chair and founder of the labor caucus, i'm to support this legislation endorsed by some of our nation's largest labor unions, including the afl-cio, unite here, the laborers, and the teamsters. i'm glad that my amendment to support the recruitment and retention of nontraditional apprenticeship populations, including women and people of color, is included in this bill. my constituents and all of our constituents deserve the opportunity this bill affords. i urge my colleagues to vote yes on the national apprenticeship act of 2021.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? >> to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute, without objection. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i rise to recognize the life of hinckley township trustee rachel. serving as a trustee for five years ray defined what it means to be a public servant. mr. gonzalez: in addition to his service on the board, ray was involved in many different aspects of the township. in particular, the historical society, among many others, including local charities. ray truly loved his community and was passionate about making it a better place. hinckley township will miss his leadership, service, and outlook on life though his work will be forever memorialized in our community. his leadership will be missed but never forgotten. i pray for his wife of 29 years, emma, who serves as chief deputy recorder of medina county and constant

presidentence for so many people in the white house. may god bless their three children and four grandchildren during this challenging time. it is truly and honor to recognize such an individual whose class and love for community made us all better people. with that, mr. speaker, i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from new hampshire seek recognition? ms. kuster: mr. speaker, i rise for one minute to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. kuster: thank you, mr. speaker. across the united states americans are finally seeing the administration of covid-19 vaccines improve after a slow rollout. the development of two highly effective vaccines in under one year is an unprecedented scientific accomplishment, but this effort is only truly recognized when we can get vaccine into the arm of every american who wants it. and that is why the first piece of legislation i introduce this

year, the coronavirus vaccine and therapeutic development act, would dramatically boost federal investment in manufacturing and distribution of the covid-19 vaccine. there is no greater public health priority than getting this vaccine into the arms of every american, and i'm committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the equitable distribution of the vaccine. to improve the if acies tation of vaccine distribution, i also introduced bipartisan legislation with my colleague drrnt larry bucshon, that would improve and expand information sharing between state and federal governments to ensure that vaccines are being administered effectively and efficiently. i urge my colleagues to join both these bills so that we can save lives and get our economy back on track. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana seek recognition? >> i seek unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks.

the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker. today i rise to honor the university professor larry debore. i had the opportunity to work with him as a member of the purdue extension service, as an indiana state representative, and as a farmer. he recently retired from purdue after 36 years of teaching economics. his tenure at ber due is accomplished and worthy of recognition. every semester he taught 200 to 400 students macroeconomics, and in addition to that, has authored the macroeconomic textbooks for universities. . he was just recognized for his outstanding teaching such as the richard coles outstanding undergraduate teacher award in 2014. in addition to being a professor, dr. debore has advised and worked with the indiana work agency with work on

governor daniels' commission on local government reform. the state of indiana has benefited greatly from his deep knowledge and expertise in the state's economic affairs. i want to wish dr. debore the very best in his retirement, and with that i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the honorable the speaker, house of representatives, madam, pursuant to the permission granted in clause 2-h of rule 2 of the rules of the u.s. house of representatives, the clerk received the following message from the secretary of the senate on february 5, 2021, at 7:58 a.m. that the senate agreed to senate concurrent resolution 5. signed sincerely, robert f. reeves, deputy clerk.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition? >> mr. speaker, pursuant to house resolution 85, i call up the bill h.r. 447, a bill to amend the national apprenticeship act and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships registered under such act and to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprenticeships and ask for its immediate consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 447, a bill to amend the act of august 16, 1937, commonly referred to as the national apprenticeship act, and expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeship registered under such act, to promote the furtherance of labor standards

necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution 85, the amendment printed in part a of house report 117-3 is adapted. the bill, as amended, is controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee on education and labor. the gentleman from michigan, mr. levin, and the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. foxx, each will control 30 minutes. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from michigan. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act of 2021. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield

myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. the gentleman from michigan, mr. levin. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i rise today in support of h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act of 2021. the covid-19 pandemic has caused significant and lasting hardshi for our nation's workers. millions of people are still thout work, and at least seven million of the jobs lost during the covid-19 pandemic will not come back. during this historic economic downturn, we must use every tool we have to help workers find jobs and prepare for the high-quality jobs and employment opportunities of the future. the mostuccessful of these tools that we have, without question, is our registered apprenticeship system. each year hundreds of thousas of workers count on registed

apprenticeships to learn in-demand skills, earn wages thatrow along with those skills, andeceive nationally recognized credentials that lead to rewarding careers. registered apprenticeships are so successful that 94% of apprentices are employed upon completion, and they earn, mr. speaker, an average starting wage of more than $70,000 a year. yet, congress has not re-authorized the national apprenticeship act since it was first passed as part of the new deal in 1937. simply put, we've left our nation's very best workforce development initiative underresourced at a time when we need it most. in response, the national apprenticeship act of 2021 invests $3.5 billion in our national apprenticeship system,

ensures consistency and quality across apprenticeship programs, increases opportunities for diverse groups of workers who have not traditionally been included in the apprenticeship system, and expands registered apprenticeships in emerging sectors, such as health care, manufacturing, finance, and technology. this investment alone will create an additional one million apprenticeship opportunities. i'm so excited to say that. and it was yield more than $10 billion in benefits to taxpayers through higher tax revenue and decreased spending on social safety net programs. there's no better policy, mr. speaker, than helping people get great training for great jobs. construction training -- excuse me -- construction trades and their industry partners have long proven that registered apprenticeships work and that the registered apprenticeship

model works. that's why trade groups, industry associations, labor unions, and other stakeholders supported both democrats and republicans in overwhelmingly voting for this bill last november. now we must come together, again, to pass the national apprenticeship act of 2021 so that workers across the country and across industries can benefit from registered apprenticeship opportunities. lastly, i would be remiss if i did not recognize representative pocan of wisconsin, who sponsored the leveraging effective apprenticeship to rebuild act. and representative bonamici of oregon who authored the partners act. and former representative, our dear colleague, susan davis of california, who shepherded this bill in the 116th congress, for all of their significant contributions to this legislation. mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to introduce an exchange of letters with house judiciary

committee chairman, jerry nadler, providing for discharge of the portion of the bill within the jurisdiction of the committee on the judiciary. i thank mr. nadler for this courtesy. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. levin: i urge support for this legislation, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. and i thank the gentleman from michigan for yielding time. mr. speaker, i rise today in strong opposition to h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act of 2021, which impedes the ability of businesses and employers to fill in-demand jobs. legislation deserves a proper, thorough, and bipartisan examination, which is why the house has long established procedures to do just that. these procedures respect the majority and minority and ensure that both sides are represented. democrats are ignoring these

procedures and bringing this bill straight to the floor, steam rolling the committee of jurisdiction. time and again, speaker pelosi has shown more interest in our way or the highway governing than upholding the deliberative process of the people's house. rushing a bill to the house floor without committee consideration simply because we gavelled in a new congress and need something to fill the time on the floor isn't a sustainable path forward under any circumstances. this is particularly frustrating considering the bipartisan agreement that our nation's apprenticeship system needs to be updated to provide more opportunities for hardworking americans. h.r.47 closes -- h.r. 447 closes this during a time when our nation is at a desperate need to getting americans back to work. in recent years, steps were taken to increase the number of high-quality apprenticeships and

introduce innovation in the work-based learning programs. for example, the trump administration created industry recognized apprenticeship programs, which provide another avenue for companies seeking skilled workers who want to develop programs with more input from other industry leaders rather than from the federal government. democrats like to say that irap is, quote, untested. other words for that are new and innovative. this bill would take away opportunities for the 131 iraps that have been recognized in the last four months, the vast majority of which are for nursing credentials. limiting nursing credentials during a pandemic is idiotic. by prohibiting these innovative programs, the bill assumes that a registered program that works for one employer will meet the diverse needs of every business

across the country, regardless of size or industry. in fiscal year 2019, 252,000 individuals answered apprenticeships, but only 81,000 graduated from the registered system. in fact, there have been on average over 190,000 new apprentices every year since 2015, but only 81,000 graduate in a year from the registered system. that's a graduation rate of 43% at best. yet, democrats refer to this program as the gold standard. lord help us if this is the gold standard. clearly there's room to improve the registered system, make space for employer-led innovation, and get more americans back to work. instead, democrats assume that simply throwing more taxpayer dollars at a broken system will

lead to the creation of a million new apprenticeships, but they have failed to address the underlying problems with the system and along the way are shutting down a new, more flexible option that businesses have already found appealing. stifling innovation and doubling down on an 80-year-old system that favors union-driven apprenticeships will hurt our efforts to get more americans back to work. yet, language included in the underlying legislation favors grant funding for entities partnering with unions. turning the bill's grant program into a union slush fund would also block countless potential participation from -- countless potential participants from accessing grant money. even worse, h.r. 447 will force job creators to deal with overly prescriptive requirements, additional bureaucracy, and

time-consuming paperwork on top of the one-size-fits-all approach. it's no wonder the stifling environment has discouraged new and small businesses from participating in the registered apprenticeship system. employers know best what skills their employees require to excel in the workplace. that's why republicans believe congress should encourage employer-led innovation in the apprenticeship space. unfortunately, today's legislation falls woefully short. we know apprenticeships will play a defining role in closing the skills gap and putting more americans to work, but only if employees and job creators are given the flexibility to innovate and develop high-quality earn-and-learn programs without overreach from washington. i urge a no vote and reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. foxx, reserves. the gentleman from michigan, mr.

levin, is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield -- excuse me -- i yield two minutes to a member of the committee on education and labor and a person whose life embodies the value of apprenticeships, not just to our industries but to our nation, the gentleman from new jersey, mr. norcross. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey is recognized for two minutes. mr. norcross: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise on the importance of the bipartisan national apprenticeship act of 2021. first, i'd like to thank former congresswoman susan davis for the work that she and brett guthrie put into this bill and how important it was. we traveled the world looking at different models to see how other countries have done it, but the answer was right here in our backyard, the gold standard, what the national building trades have done over the past 100 years. as a child growing up, you hear from teachers, counsellors, you have to go to college in order to make it in america. well, i was one of four boys.

my three brothers went to college. i like to say i went to the other four-year school and registered i.b.w. apprenticeship program for electrician. it allowed me to earn while i was going to school to take what i learned in the books at night and apply it the next day. how important that was to help raise my young family and literally paved the way for me to go from the construction site to the floor of congress. remarkable. . we know one size does not fit all. i like to say some people want to go to college, some people want to build a college, some people want to defend a college. we need everyone to come together. this registered apprenticeship is the most successful training program in the history of the united states. you heard. 9 % of the people who complete it go right to work and are fully employed. in the building trades have graduation rates of approaching

90%. something unheard of. and coming out making $70,000, with little or no debt. little or no debt. that paycheck that goes along with it is a dignity, that if you are going to work with your hands, you also work with your heart and your head and how important that is. whether you work in a shipyard, medal technology, or have your ph.d. we are all the same adding value to this great country. we need all of them to succeed. this apprenticeship act build off what we have done in the past. i just want to say we all must come -- yield 30 seconds more, mr. chairman. mr. levin: i yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from new jersey. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for an additional 30 seconds. mr. norcross: i want to make sure standards are so important. when there is a hurricane that hits the gulf coast, literally linemen and workers from around the country come together.

why is that important? because they all train on the same standards. could you imagine if everybody came in learning a different way? that's how people die. that's why standards critically important and literally proven over time. i encourage everybody to come together to work on and vote for the most impressive and successful program in the history of the united states. i ask unanimous consent to enter into the record the national -- north american building trades union a letter of support. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. foxx, is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. thompson. mr. thompson: i thank the ranking member for yielding. mr. speaker, i rise today in opposition to h.r. 44 , the national apprenticeship act of 2021. as co-chair of the

congressional current technical caucus it takes a lot for me to oppose legislation like this which should be and always has been bipartisan. my friends across the aisle have included measures not good for america or bipartisan. the national apprenticeship act, which was originally passed in 1937, established a register apprenticeship system we see today. the system has provided many americans with the opportunities to learn tangible skills they need for highway, triskill and in demand jobs that will lead to fulfilling careers. more recently we have seen interest for apprenticeship rise as more employers and small businesses are recognizing the vital role they play in the development of a skilled work force. this law is in desperate need of reforms that will both strength yen and expand this traditional system while empowering employers and others to pursue work-based learning innovation. as co-chair of the technical education caucus i always supported and will continue to support legislation that

promotes skills-based legislation for the 21st century economy. we must acknowledge the registered apprenticeship system created during the great depression will never be suitable by itself for a modern work force. while this bill codifies several regulations for registered apprenticeship model, the underlying bill ignores the needs of our works and economy. previous administrations have taken tremendous steps to grow the number of high quality apprenticeships that modernize work based learning programs especially through the department of labor industry recognized perhaps or i raps. this program is aimed to help foster continued innovation that recognizes the dignity of all work and provides mother tool for apprentices to move for meaningful work in our rapidly involving economy. the current legislation does not provide the needed flexibility for innovation of these perhaps. the necessary funding to carry out these programs or change the current status quo.

by prohibiting these innovative programs this bill assumes a registered program that works for one employer will work various needs of every business across the country regardless of size or industry. we need to listen what businesses are telling us. for this reason i urge my colleagues to oppose this bill. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield 1 1/2 minutes to a hardworking member of the committee on education and labor, the gentlelady from oregon, ms. bonamici. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from oregon is recognized for 1 1/2 minutes. ms. bonamici: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise in support of the bipartisan national apprenticeship act which i'm honored to co-lead with chairman scott. last summer i held a round table discussion with apprentices and preapprentices. i spoke with melissa who the speaker pro tempore: joining the boilermakers union

apprenticeship was a lifesaving situation. and lacy, she said it made it possible to pay my bills and feed my kid. by supporting the national apprenticeship act, we will help more workers like melissa and lacy, gain the skills and support services they need to provide for themselves and their families. as our nation recovers from the economic consequences of the pandemic, registered apprenticeships provide especially meaningful, upkilling and rekilling opportunities for displaced and dislocated workers to help them secure good-paying jobs. i'm glad my bipartisan partners act is included to help small and mediumized businesses develop registered apprenticeships and provide workers with support services like tools, work attire, trorpgs, childcare, and mentorship -- transportation, childcare, and mentorship. the legislation we pass today will help more americans to get the skills they need to succeed. mr. speaker, i request unanimous consent to enter into

the record a letter from the national task force on trades womens issues in support of the national apprenticeship act. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. miss bonna beachy: i thank chairman scott for his leadership. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentleman from north carolina nfpblgt ms. foxx: i yield two minutes to the gentleman from georgia, mr. allen. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia is recognized for two minutes. mr. allen: i thank the ranking member. i rise today in strong opposition to h.r. 447. coming from the construction industry, i know firsthand that apprenticeships help americans gain valuable skills that lead to good-paying jobs and long lasting careers. before covid-19 pandemic hit, we had the greatest economy in the world. unfortunately, we have seen the negative impact of this virus and what it's had on employment opportunities, and congress should be working in a bipartisan manner to get this economy back on track.

there is no doubt the skill trades will play a crucial part in economic recovery in the coming months. by encouraging more apprenticeship programs, we can help americans -- american workers get back on their feet while simultaneously helping employers meet their work force needs. the last thing american workers and businesses need is additional bureaucratic red tape like those included in h.r. 447. by democratic colleagues are pushing forward an approach that doubles down on burdensome mandates and will prevent more workers from assessing apprenticeship opportunities by imposing a one-size-fits-all federal registered apprenticeship system while doing nothing to support other models. i offered an amendment to today's bill that would uphold the trump administration's rule regarding the department of labor's industry recognized apprenticeship program which provides companies an alternative avenue to train skilled workers for their

specific industry needs while allowing americans to earn while they learn. we should empower employers to innovate and develop their own apprenticeship programs not could be strain -- constrain them. yet for years my democratic colleagues blocked my amendment from consideration f you truly want unity in working across the aisle, i urge my colleagues to work with republicans on the house education and labor committee on a bipartisan bill that would encourage innovation and flexibility into the apprenticeship model so that more americans can get back to work. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to a member of the committee on education and labor, and a scholar of the history of apprenticeship in this body, mr. courtney of connecticut. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. courtney: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, in 1937 a freshman member of congress who held my seat, representative william

fitzgerald, led the effort to pass the first national apprenticeship act. after being signed into law by president roosevelt, this remained largely untouched for 83 years. yet the registered apprenticeship system it created has buoyed the nation through decades of tumultuous change in our economy and its work force. the fits gerald act is simple, it instructs the secretary of labor to bring together employers and workers and using national standards develop apprenticeship programs, work with state agencies to carry out certifications all across the country. with that elegant framework, the register apprenticeship program enrolls thousands of new apprentices each year. they can expect to earn an average of $70,000 per year. this was achieved with tiny federal investment. today we take an historic step to build on the success with the first ever re-authorization of the fitzgerald act to size up and grow its proven model. h.r. 447 creates a dedicated

source of funding at state apprenticeship office that is will connect more employers to trainees in competitive grants to start apprenticeships in new sections of the economy and recruit underserved populations this. bill will enact those reforms and remain true to the crown jewel of fits gerald's vision, safeguarding national standards so workers and employers can trust the program, skills, and certifications are high quality and transportable. in connecticut i have seen how registered apprenticeships help first time employers. chris said this about his metal fabrication shops. the training money we received allowed us to take a chance on employees that we felt were ready to make the next step in their career path. those workers and others at chris as shop are thriving today in high-paying jobs because of the fitzgerald act. this bill will multifly that success for millions at just the time or nation's ailing economy needs it the most. i urge my colleagues to pass this bill. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the

balance of his time. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. keller. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for two minutes. mr. keller: i thank the ranking member. mr. speaker, i rise today in opposition of h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act of 2021. let's be very clear, apprenticeship programs are a tremendous benefit to our economy. they provide a diverse range of opportunities for emerging workers to hone and develop skill sets while providing competitive salaries that strengthen our economy. i agree with my colleagues that our existing apprenticeship system is severely outdated and it must be restructured to reflect the needs and challenges of the current economy and the modern work force. however, h.r. 447 completely fails to address and expand work-based learning programs. current regulations permit a special carve out for union sponsored apprenticeships to

ignore the apprentices to supervisors to keep workers safe. this preferential treatment by definition creates an uneven playing field and jeopardizes worker safety. i offered an amendment to this legislation that would have closed this loophole, level the playing field, and ensure the safety of all apprentices on the job. however, the majority voted to reject this effort to hold all apprenticeship programs to the same standards of safety regardless of which entity sponsors the program. during the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic on our economy, now more than ever we need a apprenticeship system that provides and protect workers and gives them the tools and opportunities for success. the bottom line is that this law must be updated so employees can participate in a system that is reflected of their needs anti-needs of their workers. something this legislation in its current form fails to do enthrire. voting for h.r. 447 in its current form would mean doubling down on the outdated

policies and bureaucratic red tape that too often prevents innovative and necessary improvements from taking place. this bill should be rejected. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield one minute to a colleague who knows a little bit about how to help business in this country, the gentleman from maryland, mr. trone. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from maryland is recognized for one minute. mr. trone: mr. speaker, i urge support for my amendment, which addresses the barriers to finding a job that just as impacted individuals face when they leave prison, stable employment swuvent single biggest factors for determining whether americans will have been incarcerated will return to prison or jail. but returning to faces significant barriers to employment. with an unemployment rate of five times higher than the national average. my amendment will help support the establishment and expansion

of the apprenticeship and preapprenticeship work force training programs in all federal correctional facilities. it will reduce recidivism and formerly incarcerated individuals lead productive lives and build strong communities. the criminal justice system in the united states is anything but just. we can fix it. it's time to lead with compassion. it's time to focus on rehabilitation not retribution. it's time we give those who serve their time and are trying to start a new life a second chance. i also like to enter into the record a communication for the wall and ceiling are thors 8 -- contractors. i urge bipartisan support. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. . ms. foxx: i yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. smucker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for two minutes. mr. smucker: thank you, mr. speaker. i'd like to thank the ranking member for yielding.

this bill today, folks, is a missed opportunity. a missed opportunity for people all across this country to live their own american dream, to access the jobs that are available in this country. and this is at a time when millions have lost their jobs due to this pandemic. why? because democrats are more interested in protecting the labor unions than they are in helping the 94% of the private sector workforce that is not part of a labor union and in helping the millions of individuals who are not able to access the workforce at all. it's a shame. you should be ashamed of yourselves. i know because i owned a nonunion construction company that was unable to start an

apprenticeship program due to union pushback. now, i'll agree with you. construction labor unions have a great training program. i've seen them firsthand. but why not expand that to other construction companies and to other industries? all of us know that in the united states, we are far behind many european countries in the apprenticeship programs that we offer in many different industries and it affects the american worker and the opportunity that they have. this bill doubles down on that system. what we need is more innovation to allow more individuals and more families to achieve their own american dream. and the democrats are wholly failing to do so in this bill. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentlewoman from north

carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. i look forward to discussing with my colleague a program that allows workers to unionize in the united states as freely as they do in europe and we achieve the same level of unionization as those countries with larger numbers of apprenticeships have. now i yield one minute to a member of the committee on education and labor and our chairwoman of the subcommittee on workforce protections, the gentlelady from north carolina, ms. adams. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized for one minute. ms. adams: thank you, mr. chairman. i thank the gentleman for yielding. mr. speaker, i rise today in strong support of the national apprenticeship act of 2021. by creating nearly one million new apprenticeship opportunities and yielding over $10 billion in net benefits, this legislation is a lifeline for our economy and for countless americans, including those in my home state of north carolina. with a proven track record of success, we know this is a safe and smart investment. something our country

desperately needs right now. i'm also pleased that this legislation includes a bill, which i led with representative jones, the apprenticeship access for all act. legislation that will advance programs that promote the recruitment, the employment, and retention of people of color, individuals with disabilities, and individuals facing barriers through unemployment -- through employment, especially in high-skilled, high-wage and in demand sectors and occupations. after all, we need to make sure that everyone has access to opportunity. this vote is about ensuring our workforce gets the investment it needs and support it deserves. this vote is about showing the american people that they are seen, they're heard, and we deeply care about providing them pathways to a stable future. and this vote is about upholding congress' commitment and obligation to serve every american. i urge support and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized.

ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield two minutes to the gentleman from georgia, mr. carter. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. carter: i thank the lady for yielding. mr. speaker, i rise today in opposition to the national apprenticeship act. like so many issues we debate here, we have common desire to help the american people, but we disagree about how to go about doing it. in today's case, it's apprenticeships. we agree apprenticeships are incredible pathways to success. an amazing 94% of apprenticeships are employed after completing registered apprenticeships with good-paying salaries. i know in my situation when i owned my own business, apprenticeships were a great way for people to become employed in our business. however, only a small fraction of the workforce participates in the registered programs. this is because the department of labor's apprenticeship program is too burdensome and

prescriptive for the actual needs of american businesses. the diversity and variety of american businesses is a highlight of our economy and essential to our constant innovation. if a business is created in an apprenticeship model that meets their needs, they should be celebrated and not forced into the department of labor's model. rather than update the outdated program that was created in 1937 to fit the needs of our modern economy, this bill should double down on this one-size-fits-all federal registered apprenticeship system. the previous administration recognized the need for flexible apprenticeships by creating an industry-recognized apprenticeship program. this would have allowed for third-party certificate fires to -- certifiers that are responsive to the workforce needs. instead, this legislation fails to anticipate the future of apprenticeship programs in a 21st century economy. what's worse is it picks winners and losers by favoring apprenticeship grants for those who partner with labor organizations rather than

awarding them based on merit. this would severely limit and stifle our ability to meet the needs of our future. i urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution so we don't leave behind future apprenticeship opportunities. thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield one minute to a member of the committee on education and labor, my colleague from georgia, mrs. mcbath. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from georgia is recognized for one minute. mrs. mcbath: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today in support of h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act of 2021. we're still in the midst of our country's worst economic crisis in decades and to better serve the american people, we must invest in our workforce, invest in the american dream. registered apprenticeships prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century. they make our cities, our states, and our countries stronger and far more competitive. by supporting registered

apprenticeship programs, we can ensure that my great state of georgia remains the best state in the country in which to live and do business. for decades, the registered apprenticeship program has proven to be an entryway for many into the middle class, and the national apprenticeship act would inject much-needed funding to support a successful workforce program at a time when our nation truly needs it the most. i urge my colleagues to support this legislation. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i now yield two minutes to the gentleman from virginia, representative good. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from virginia is recognized for two minutes. mr. good: thank you. republicans and democrats agree that apprenticeships are important for workforce development.

unfortunately, house democrats think that federal bureaucrats who rely on an almost century-old system should manage all apprenticeship programs, not businesses and job creators. this legislation represents a classic democrat one-size-fits-all approach as it would make the existing registered apprenticeship program the only option for businesses. registered programs are only a small fraction of total apprenticeships, representing only about 20% of apprenticeships in 2019. instead of reducing options and increasing bureaucracy, republicans support policies that maximize flexibility and innovation, like president trump's landmark and highly successful industry-recognized apprenticeship program. it's tragic that during a time of historic unemployment the house of representatives is taking up a bill that stiffles employment and workforce -- stifles employment and workforce development opportunities when we need it least. i stand in opposition to h.r. 447 and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, may i inquire how much time remains for each side? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan has 6 3/4 minutes remaining. the gentlewoman from north carolina has 13 1/2 minutes. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield one minute to a member of the committee on education and labor, my esteemed colleague, the gentleman from the northern mariana islands, mr. sablan. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. sablan: i rise in support of h.r. 447. apprenticeships are well recognizeds a way to help local economies grow career opportunities for young people. however, the current national apprenticeship system does not adequately support the creation ofpprenticeships in the marianas and other insular areas. that inequity ends today.

h.r. 447 iorporates my bill, the apprenticeship expansion act, which i introduced in the last congress. my bill provides $2.5 million over five years for the marianas and create and expand apprenticeships and more than $11.2 milln for the insular areas in total. our schools equip students for partication in the national apprenticeship program. we will view that connection between what is learned in the classroom and real-world work. due to the coronavirus, this is needed nowore than ever. i want tohank mr. levin for his work to update this law first enacted in 1937. mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to enter into the record a statement from the association of woodworking and furnishings suppliers. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman's time has

expired. mr. sablan: thank you, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i now yield two minutes to the gentleman from idaho, mr. fulcher. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. -- mr. fulcher: thank you, madam speaker, for yielding. i want to rise in opposition to h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act. this bill continues to invite federal rules that hinders idaho's ability to use industry-based standards. there's a lot of success with apprenticeships in idaho, from companies like idaho power, micron technology, to small businesses of all types. apprenticeships are crucial to the job growth in the gem state. these businesses partner with colleagues and universities across my state, connecting skill development, to college degrees for regionally accredited schools.

idaho power partnering with the college in southern idaho or many entrepreneurs working with schools like north idaho college, lewis and clark state college and others. we need the ability to use third parties to certify apprenticeship programs. make no mistake, idahoans are used to dealing with heavy-handed federal bureaucracy. despite long wait times for approval by the federal department of labor, our state officials continue to succeed, setting up apprenticeship programs. but often, idaho's labor officials must use existing occupations because the federal department of labor doesn't have standards for new ones. why make it harder by removing qualified third parties that can approve industry-recognized apprenticeship programs needed for our economy? why eliminate the opportunity for employees to participate in industry-based programs where they can go to school, get paid work experience, and earn an industry credential?

idaho's economy has been resilient. despite government intervention due to covid. last year, i said if the government shut down the economy, it had an obligation to help open it back up. we should not hamper companies trying to create apprenticeship programs for the types of jobs they need. we should help industry by freeing them to develop high-quality, high-paying jobs for the future. we should give job seekers more opportunities to grow and succeed, not with the federal boundaries, but only by the limits of their imagination. it's for these reasons i vote no on h.r. 447. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to another colleague with direct experience of the value of registered apprenticeships to our companies and our workers, a member of the committee on education and labor, my colleague from wisconsin, mr. pocan. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two

minutes. mr. pocan: thank you, mr. speaker. as a proud member of the international union of painters and allied trades, as co-chair of the labor caucus, a proud member of the education and labor committee, i rise in strong support of the national apprenticeship act. with such high unemployment, the bill before us seeks to invest $3.5 billion over five years to expand access to registered apprenticeships across america. almost one million new apprenticeship opportunities will result from the enactment of this bill, leading to good-paying, family-supporting jobs across the country. so what are registered apprenticeships? they are a great way to earn and learn. you get paid for your work while learning the skills you need to master your trade at the same time. not everyone chooses a path to higher education, but everyone wants to earn a good family-supporting wage for their hard work. apprenticeships are a good way. from medical, construction, more, apprenticeships means an opportunity for so many.

my home state of wisconsin is a pioneer. we enacted the first apprenticeship law in 1911. the result back home have been clear. they lead to a smarter, more skilled workforce. according to data from the department of labor, 94% of people who complete a registered apprenticeship are employed upon completion and their average starting wage is above $70,000. . we supported over 3,000 employers in over 200 occupations. i look forward to that total growing dramatically following the enactment of today's bill. i urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill. with that, mr. speaker, i'd like to insert into the record this letter of support for the national apprenticeship act from the afl-cio. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: i thank you, mr. speaker. i yield two minutes to the gentleman from wisconsin, mr.

grothman. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from wisconsin is recognized for two minutes. mr. grothman: thank you. apprenticeship programs are incredibly important for job growth in the state of wisconsin and around the nation. insofar as this bill high lidse -- highlights apprenticeships, that's a good thing. i was talking to one of our programs this morning in wisconsin and they could desperately use more people going through these apprenticeships and making these $70,000, $80,000, $90,000 a year jobs. it's particularly more important to get more people in the trades because we have so many people going to four-year university maybe they end up going to apprenticeship five or six years later, maybe they wind up heavy in debt, if they made the move to a construction apprenticeship earlier on, they would be better. unfortunately, this bill is not quite exactly what we need. the registered apprenticeship program through the department of labor is important, but for many employers it works fine, however it is a

one-size-fits-all approach. fiscal year 2019, over 250,000 individuals entered registered apprenticeships and only 81,000 graduated from the system. over the years some employers have expressed the participation of registered apprenticeships allows the department of labor to dictate skills an employer must provide to apprentices rather than allowing the business to determine that themselves. let's face it, employers know what kind of on-the-job training and vocational training their apprentices need than the federal government. irap still would have to comply with federal standards and overseen by third parties such as trade and industry groups, nonprofit organization, unions, and and jointly managed organizations. it should down for two reasons, probably because it took control of the apprenticeship program out of the hands of the federal government and was an idea proposed by donald trump, who did a lot of good things.

our work force is evolving so should models of job training and apprenticeships. i offered an amendment to this bill concerning the definition of recognized post secondary credential. under the bill recognized post secondary credential is a meaning given to the work force opportunity act that. should specifically include technical diplomas and degrees which differ from general associate degreeses -- degrees. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield one minute to a co-chair of the labor caucus and gentleman from new york, mr. suozzi. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized for one minute. mr. suozzi: thank you, mr. speaker. as co-chair of the labor caucus i rise in support of the national apprenticeship act. the labor caucus advocates for america's working meb and women -- men and women, and this legislation helps america's working men and women. america continues to create enormous wealth, that's a good thing. the problem, however, is that

wealth has not been shared with the people that go to work every day. since 1980's, the dow jones has gone up 1500%, the g.d.p. 800%, but workers' wages have increased by less than 20%. everyone in america believes or should believe that if you are willing to go to work every day you should make enough money so you can buy he'll, have health and urnsshurens, and retire one day without being scared. unfortunately that's no longer a reality in america. we know the more you learn the more you earn. 60% of americans, however, do not graduate from college. working with president biden, the apprenticeship act will make the skills necessary to be a welder, plumber, computer machinist, or skilled laborer available so american working men and women whether they go to college or not can live the american dream again. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield two minutes to the

gentleman from michigan, mr. walberg. the speaker pro tempore: gentleman from michigan is recognized for two minutes. mr. walberg: thank you, mr. speaker. thank you to the gentlelady for giving me this time. i rise in opposition to h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act, not opposition to the gold standard labor union apprenticeship programs. updating our national apprenticeship system is an important discussion to have. however, this bill fails to deliver on the goal of strengthening our registered apprenticeship system and expanding earn and learn opportunities for americans across the nation. our country's work force is facing a unique crisis and we must ensure that apprenticeship programs, the system, is expanding in the process. apprenticeship system is up to the task to meet the needs of our evolving work force only as we move it fomplt principle, the covid-19 crisis -- forward.

principle that covid-19 crisis is an integral part of our daily lives, developing a high-skilled work force is critical as we seek to expand technologies like broadband and 5-g to underserved areas across the country, including my own district in michigan. new research indicates winning the global race to 5-g will create up to 4.6 million jobs and contribute $1.7 trillion to the u.s. economy over the next decade. however, unless the u.s. has a large enough and properly trained work force, we will not be able to fully reap the economic and technological benefits of 5-g. apprenticeships are a proven solution for meeting work force needs, especially in wireless technologies. congress and the department of labor should be laser focused on encouraging and incentivizing apprenticeships for 5-g and advanced wireless

employment. unfortunately, the bill we are considering would hinder the flexibility of employers to create earn and learn programs, to teach job seekers the skills they need, to build out and deploy the 5-g and wireless infrastructure america so desperately needs. for these reasons, i must oppose and encourage all others to oppose h.r. 447 and urge my colleagues to work on a bipartisan solution that will empower works and employers to create apprenticeships that are responsive to our modern economy. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: i yield one minute to a dynamic member of the committee on education and labor, the gentlelady from pennsylvania, ms. wild. the speaker pro tempore: the the gentlewoman from pennsylvania is recognized for one minute. ms. wild: thank you, mr. refin. -- levin. thank you, mr. speaker. in november of last year i stood in the chamber to support this legislation, the

bipartisan national apprenticeship act. the house passed it but the senate failed to put it up for a vote. we need to seize this opportunity. revitalizing our apprenticeship system is not a democratic or republican priority, it is a national priority for workers across our country. it is essential to our task of building an economy that provides a wider, sturdier bridge to the middle class. for every dollar invested in our registered apprenticeship system, we see a return of $28 in benefits. but the u.s. invests only $195 of public money per apprentice, while our canadian neighbors spend $1,300 per apprentice. we are leaving too many communities behind and at-risk of getting outpaced in the world economy. now is the time to invest in the american worker. this bill makes long-term investments and provides grants for employers to incentivize the hiring of apprentices. it provides workers with the opportunity to earn while they learn and obtain portable

credentials without incuring significant debt. i urge a yes vote on this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady's time has expired. the the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i now yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. perry. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from pennsylvania is recognized for two minutes. mr. perry: thank you, mr. speaker. i thank the gentlelady, ms. foxx. we all want to help. we all want to help the people in our community find their way, do better for themselves, seek the opportunities that support themselves, their dreams, and their families. this bill establishes ratios of journeymen and apprentices on the job. what does that mean? that means you got to have somebody watching when somebody's pulling wire. you have to have somebody watching when somebody's learning to sweat joints because you got to make sure it's done right. make sure it's done safely. that's great. that ratio's going to be established by the department of labor based on something, hopefully by people in the trade that know what they are doing.

but this is what it also does. it says that if you have a collective bargaining agreement, you don't have to worry about those ratios. you can make your own up. so the union and the business can make their own, but everybody else has to use the department of labor's standards. ladies and gentlemen, one standard for all. if it's good for the goose, it's good for the gabbeder -- gander. this is picking winners and losers. this is saying if you are not in a union you have to have a different standard. by the way the different standard is he it's always more expensive for you than the union. oh, by the way, we see that all the time. additionally, this bill prevents entities not affiliated with the union from obtaining title 2 grants. the grants we are talking about. in this bill. they can't get them. you have to be in a union. ladies and gentlemen, i hope you see what this is. it's ok for me, but not for thee. same old thing in washington, d.c., it's the same thing we are seeing around the country.

if you are hooked up with the elite, if you are hooked up with the entitled class, you get the fruit. if you're not, you get punished. you are left out in the cold. ladies and gentlemen, we want to see -- we all want to help our friend. help the people in our community realize their dream. picking winners and losers, which is exactly what this does, actually keeps people out of work. increases the price, and picks winners and losers, and that's not what our government's supposed to be doing. that's not what we are supposed to be doing. i urge a no vote on this bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. -- reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. i po won't out that the grants in title 2 do not have mandatory partners. they require partners to the extent practicable in a given situation. mr. speaker, i yield one minute to a member of the committee on education and labor, a new

champion for workers in this house of representatives, the gentleman from indiana, mr. mer van -- mrvan. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. mrvan: i rise in support of this act. it is my distinct honor to be a mefment house education and labor committee and i'm encouraged to see the consideration of this critical piece of legislation as a priority before the house so early in the 117th congress. labor organizations and the apprenticeship programs are the backbone of north west indiana's economy. i have worked with organizations to get people who need a career into a union apprenticeship program. for the past 15 years as an administrator of the emergency financial assistance, i have sat across the desk of neighbors, friends, and constituents who have an urgency for opportunity to provide for their families. this legislation creates life changing economic opportunities. these types of programs are

invaluable to provide all individuals with lifelong skillset, a job that pays a family, supporting wage, and a safe working environment. and secure retirement. i appreciate the legislation that aims to increase diversity and equitable access for women to apprenticeship programs so that all individuals can have access to good-paying jobs. my colleagues, i appreciate this and i ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and the dignity of all workers. i ask for unanimous consent to enter a letter of support from the international association of bridge structural, ornamental, and reinforcing iron workers. a letter of support. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. foxx: mr. speaker, my colleague on the other side of the aisle says that these grants are not restricted to

union programs or programs that are associated with unions. but the language in the bill is to the extent practicable programs should be connected with the union. that term is not defined. the department of labor can arbitrarily deny grants to nonunion programs. there is no accountability for this. . in fact, there is very accountability in this bill at all. the american people want to know where their hard-earned taxpayers are being spent. this is a lousy bill and we ought not to be passing it in these conditions. with that i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield one minute to another new member on the education and labor committee, the gentleman from new york, mr. jones.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized for one minute. mr. jones: mr. speaker, the economy has been left in ruins by the prior administration's historic failure of leadership. now millions of americans are out of work. and we must remember that it's people with disabilities, people of color, and especially women of color who have been the hardest hit. as members of congress, we must do all we can to ensure everyone, and i do mean everyone, can live in dignity. that's why i support the national apprenticeship act of 2021, which will create one million new apprenticeships. this bill includes the apprenticeships access for all act, which i am proud to have co-authored with congresswoman alma adams. this legislation will help remove racist and ablist barriers to employment from our national apprenticeship system. because everyone deserves a good-paying job, no matter your race or your ability. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north

carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. as my other colleagues have pointed out, millions of workers will need reskin due to the -- reskilling due to the pandemic-related job loss and displacement, not to mention the devastating executive orders signed by president biden which eliminated in one day hundreds of thousands of jobs. the world economic forum discusses this issue at length in their recent report titled, "the future of jobs report 2020." in the report, they point to a double disruption scenario, impacting workers due to both automation and covid-19 workplace disruptions. this double disruption is further reinforcing their findings that 84% of employers are set to rapidly digitalize working processes. again, i mention they don't even

take into consideration what president biden has done to eliminate hundreds of thousands, and it could be millions of jobs. the demand for reskilling workers is high, and we'll be chased the needs of our workforce with the one-size-fits-all approach this bill seeks to enshrine into law. as in-demand skills evolve in the years to am co, the skills gap will -- for the years to come, the skills gap will continue to grow in the absence of forward-thinking reform. i, again, urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join republicans in prettying new apprenticeship pathways through innovative models, such as the industry-recognized apprenticeship model. with that i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, may i inquire to the time once more? the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan has 9 1/2 minutes.

the gentlewoman from north carolina has 3 1/4 minutes remaining. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield one minute to another new member to the committee on education and labor and native michigander, the gentlewoman, ms. manning. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. manning: i rise today to speak in favor of the national apprenticeship act of 2021. we are living in a time of record job loss with 10 million people out of work and many businesses devastated by this pandemic. that's why this legislation is critical. we must invest in helping people gain the skills they need to prepare for high-quality jobs that earn good wages. this apprenticeship act will do exactly that. including those with barriers to employment. this investment is projected to yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to u.s. taxpayers by increasing worker productivity

and decreasing spending on public assistance programs and unemployment insurance. equally important, it will help countless americans achieve the dignity of providing for their am if a lease and -- families and the satisfaction of having good jobs. this is exactly the kind of investment that will help us build back better. thank you and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: mr. speaker, i'll reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: madam speaker, i yield one minute to the gentlelady from ohio, who has been fighting for workers and small businesses in this house for decades, ms. kaptur. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. the gentlewoman from ohio. the gentlewoman is reminded about masks, wearing the masks. ms. kaptur: thank you very much, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent to place in the record support for this

bill from the national electrical contractors association. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. kaptur: thank you. mr. speaker, i rise in strong support for h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship re-authorization act of 2021. in the middle of this global pandemic and economic crisis, americans need hope and they need work. today's legislation is a meaningful step to increase access to registered apprenticeships and apprenticeships remain one of the most successful workforce development programs for new entrance and those seeking a new career. according to the department of labor, 94% of people who complete apprenticeships are employed upon completion and earn an average salary of over $70,000. as a representative for the cities of toledo, sandusky, cleveland, all of which boast a strong automotive heritage, this helps young people who are starting careers in the automotive trades.

so whether it's the expertise to rebuild an engine, perfect biofuels, or a rear panel, there are skilled craft people who can restore, invent the vehicles of the future as happened with my own brother, steve who did it for many years as a racecar driver and patent holder. i strongly support this legislation for over a million apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years, to strengthen this economy and bring people the skills that are needed to operate successful enterprise. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx: i'll reserve, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to a champion of economic development, of workers and of businesses at the local, state, and national level, the gentleman from rhode island, mr. cicilline. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from rhode island is recognized for two minutes.

mr. cicilline: thank you, 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 are registered to apprenticeship programs enjoy an average starting wage of $70,000. and 94% of graduates are employed upon completion. yet, less than 1% of the american workforce have completed an apprenticeship. this disconnect disadvantages our workers and puts others behind other industrialized nations. the national apprenticeship act will address this gap in our workforce development system by providing for almost one million new apprenticeship positions over five years. and here's the really important part. it will generate $10.6 billion net benefit to taxpayers. so it's 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 from this experience firsthand in my state the labors international union of north america has created really a national model for apprenticeship programs that has improved the lives of thousands and thousands of rhode islanders. so i ask unanimous consent to enter this letter of support from the labors international union of north america into the record. again, i just want to say in closing, mr. speaker, that this is an opportunity to respond to the economic crisis that has been created by the covid pandemic. give people the skills that they need to become more successful and to earn greater wages, that's our job, after all, to make life better for those that we represent. this is an investment in the american worker. i urge all my colleagues to join us in supporting this excellent piece of legislation. and with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from michigan

reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx: mr. speaker, i'll reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield one minute to the gentlelady from texas, ms. jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from texas is recognized for one minute. ms. jackson lee: i thank the gentleman. i rise with great promise to support h.r. 447, the national apprenticeship act of 2021, and thank the manager. i thank the chairman for investing $3.5 billion over five years in expanding opportunities and access to registered apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship. at this time of record unemployment, 10 million jobs lost in the united states, we need the opportunity to redirect and retrain the american public. i am a strong supporter of apprenticeship programs. colleges in my district, like h.c.c., programs, electrical contracts, plumbers, masonry

that make a difference and have individuals making dollars that they have not made before. we need to be able to provide opportunities for young people, giving them the direction of where they can make -- be a success. i show these pictures of diversity in my district, of individuals who are having the opportunity to be apprentices. increasing participation in the national apprenticeship program through technical assistance, bringing together industry sector leaders and experts, including employers. this is a new day. as my congress manman -- colleague, congressman lync -- let's support this legislation. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx: thank you, mr.

speaker. would you clarify how much time i have remaining? the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina has 3 3/4 minutes remaining. 3 1/4. the gentleman from michigan has 4 1/2 minutes. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. that's what i thought on our side but i wanted to be sure. i yield myself such time as i may consume i yield myself -- i yield myself the balance of the time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized, the gentlewoman from north carolina. ms. foxx: iraps, which would be eliminated by this bill, represent a new apprenticeship model that puts employers in the driver's seat to create programs that meet the unique needs of their workers. this new innovative model was spearheaded by president trump's department of labor. currently, 80% of apprenticeships are employer-led

and are not a part of the registered apprenticeship model. the registered apprenticeship model is riddled with burdensome red tape which discourages countless businesses from participating. iraps, on the other hand, give job creators the freedom to break away from the washington-knows-best model and connect workers, families, and communities with fulfilling careers. this bill looks backwards and relies solely on a model created during the great depression. we should be looking forward and not closing opportunities for new models that reach more workers and industries, like the industry-recognized apprenticeship model. mr. speaker, there is bipartisan agreement that the national apprenticeship act is in desperate need of an update. but the bill before us fails to deliver for students, workers,

or job creators. while democrats continue with this ill-advised legislation, republicans will continue working hard to inject innovation and flexibility into the apprenticeship model so that more americans, many of whom have been put out of work by this very administration, can get back to work. i urge all members to vote no on the bill. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman, ms. foxx, yields back. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. you know, as i've listened to the debate back and forth, i feel like it hasn't covered much of what's so exciting about this bill. when i was the chief workforce officer of the state of michigan, it was during the implosion of the auto industry and then the great recession. michigan had the highest

unemployment rate of any state for 49 consecutive months, and it was in that difficult circumstance that i had to try to help michigan workers train and get new skills for new opportunities. and there was a senator from illinois around that time. his name was barack obama, and he got a piece of legislation passed that said that states could use a half a percent of their safetea-lu money, their money for highway construction, to help train the workforce of the future -- more women, more people of color, more poor people -- and so i worked with the apprenticeship directors of the highway industry, with people advocating for more opportunities for people of color, and we created pre-apprenticeship programs that helped new people get apprenticeships and a road to the middle class in this country. .

by building our road. the point is we had to do that on our own. this bill does so much to modernize and open up our apprenticeship system. it facilitates preapprenticeship programs. it facilitates youth apprenticeshipp programs. it specifically encourages innovation and birthing of new apprenticeship programs in a wide array of new industries. and, mr. speaker, despite the rhetoric, it's quite bipartisan. in closing, i want to thank some representatives who have done a lot to help bring this bill to fruition, including representatives norcross, brian fitzpatrick, suzanne bonamici, david mckinley, and don bacon, all of whom have provided

critical leadership. i urge my colleagues to support this bill and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. all time for debate has expired. each further amendment printed in part b of house report 117-3 not earlier considered part of the amendments en bloc, pursuant to section 3 of house resolution 85, shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by the member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponen and an opponent, may be withdrawny the proponent at any time before the question is put thereon. shall not be subject to amendmen and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. it shall be in order at any time after the debate for the chair of the committee on education and labor or his designee to offer amendments en bloc csisting of further amendments printed in part b 11

1-3. amendment en bloc will considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of education and labor or their respect combri designees, shall not be subject to amendment, and shalnot be subject to demand for division of the question. for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition? mr. levin: mr. speaker, pursuant to section 3 of house resolution 95 i rise to offeraged en bloc one. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will designated the amendments en bloc. the clerk: consisting of amendments numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 13 printed in part b of house report number 117-3 offered by mr. levin of michigan. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution 8 5, the gentleman from michigan,

mr. levin, and the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. foxx, each will control 10 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise in support of en bloc amendment number 1. these amendments will add ethnicity alongside race and gender to the definition of nontraditional apprenticeship population. expand outreach to title 1 schools and temporary assistance for needy families programs to promote awareness of apprenticeship opportunities. clarify state plans inclusion of nontraditional apprenticeships industries and occupations. add childcare to the range of transition assistance options included for formerly incarcerated people in apprenticeships. add media and entertainment and early child hood elementary and secondary education to the list of nontraditional

apprenticeship industries eligible for support. make job corps centers eligible for funding to run apprenticeship programs, ensure that states facilitate the exchange of best practices between grant participants, and clarify the type of national, regional, and industry indimmediatearies eligible for indimmediateary grants. these amendments make meaningful improvements to the bill and i ask you to vote yes on this en bloc. i now yield two minutes to the gentlelady from delaware, ms. blunt rochester. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for two minutes. ms. blunt rochester: thank you, mr. speaker. and chairman scott and the entire education and labor committee, i thank you for the time and for your hard work. as the former labor secretary from the state of delaware, i am proud to support the

national apprenticeship act and have my amendment to h.r. 447 before the house today. my amendment would make improvements to the bill to expand pathways for americans to obtain good-paying jobs and ensure a diverse and highly skilled work force. which we need today more than ever. this amendment will make certain that we engage schools which accept federal funds for students to promote apprenticeships for low-income students. specifically title 1 schools. it would coordinate with h.h.s. to better support health care and childcare jobs, and it would ensure that nontraditional populations such as the latino community are represented in apprenticeship programs. finally, ensure that apprenticeship websites are user friendly and accessible to those with disabilities. this bill is vital.

as we in america are in the midst of a pandemic, we know more than ever that jobs are important and that our economic viability is paramount this. bill is also about opportunity and improving the lives of americans. i stand in support of this bill. i ask for your support on these amendments. and i also request unanimous consent to enter into the record a letter from third way. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. miss blunt rochester: thank you -- ms. blunt rochester: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan reserves. for what purpose does the gentlewoman rise? ms. foxx: i rise to claim time in opposition to the en bloc amendment. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for 10 minutes. ms. foxx: thank you. mr. speaker, notwithstanding my

great affection for the congresswoman from delaware, ms. blunt rochester, i have to highlight at least one amendment en bloc that i am concerned with. the amendment offered by representative escobar would add job core centers -- job corps centers to the list of education providers that may be considered as partners for program sponsors as they are developing their program. i understand mr. levin thinks this is a great idea, but -- and it's well-intentioned, i'm sure, i do not believe we should be adding more responsibilities to a program that is consistently, consistently failed to do that which congress has already authorized it to do. for decades this federally funded program has struggled to ensure the safety and security of students. there is ample documentation

about the deficiencies in job corps. in fact, over 30 different government reports and audits have raised concerns over the safety and security of participants. until we have resolved the underlying problems with job corps, i do not believe we should encourage more individuals to participate in the program by listing this as an available option. the other amendments are largely minor changes to the bill that do not redeem the underlying policy or do anything to seriously reform and improve our apprenticeship system. while i wish we could have a serious debate about the opportunity for additional reforms in this space, that would be supported by a large number of republican members, it is clear that democrats are unwilling to have that conversation today. i oppose the en bloc amendment and encourage my colleagues to do the same. i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from cro -- colorado, mr. crow. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado is recognized for two minutes. mr. crow: i rise today in support of my amendment. the registered apprenticeship system is one of america's most successful federal work force programs and has created a pathway for millions of americans to achieve the american dream. with more than 600,000 apprenticeships nationwide, including more than 6,000 in colorado, apprenticeships provide workers with paid on-the-job training and more than 94% of apprentices have a job after completing their program of the the national apprenticeship act would bring this successful program into the 21st century by investing more than $3.5 billion annually. creating one million new apprenticeships over the next five years. my amendment will ensure that we include educators in this program.

across the country there is a growing demand for qualified teachers. schools, particularly low-income schools, are struggling to hire and retain qualified teachers. in colorado, we have a critical shortage of thousands of teachers. simply put, today we can't even fully staff our classrooms. by including teachers in the expansion of this program, we'll help solve this problem. i grew up going to neighborhood public schools. i know the lasting impact teachers can have on students. without them, i wouldn't be standing here today. investing in teachers and in our children should always be a top priority. i urge my colleagues to support my amendment and the underlying bill. i also request unanimous consent to submit this letter of support from the united association of union plumbers and fight fighters -- pipe fitters into the congressional record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentleman from north carolina is recognized.

ms. foxx: mr. speaker, i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i'm pleased to yield two minutes to my new colleague, the gentlelady from missouri, miss bush. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from missouri is recognized tore two minutes. -- for two minutes. miss -- miss bush: thank you, mr. chair. st. louis and i rise today in support of the national apprenticeship act of 2021 and in support of our amendment. for more than 80 years since the new deal, the registered apprenticeship program has sought to build pathways into dignified and stable work. but we know that the promise of good jobs with good pay and benefits has never been fully realized in america. the pandemic has unevenly devastated communities like missouri's first district, including families of color, unhoused communities, people with disabilities, and heavily incarcerated communities. as we rebuild, as we rebuild our economy, we must target

jobs to them. our amendment will ensure childcare is not a barrier to successful re-entry home. it enters more than 5 million young million in this country who has had a parent incarcerated by adding childcare as an essential transitional service. as a single mother, a nurse, former childcare worker i know what it's like to miss a day of work because a sitter fell through or i couldn't afford childcare. when you are a single mother, not working isn't an option, it's rarely, if it is. not working means you can't feed or shelter your family. i have been there. i have been evicted. and i have lived until a car with my own children. over 80% of women in jail are mothers to minor children, and are their primary caretakers. when anyone is released from prison they need resources to reunite with and provide for their families. our amendment ensures that participation in the work force can be equally shared by all, including those who need it most. i thank chairman scott and his

amazing staff for collaborating. i thank representatives bowman and pressley for their partnership. i urge my colleagues to support and i yield the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yield back. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: i yield two minutes to my esteemed colleague from oregon, mr. blumenauer. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from oregon is recognized for two minutes. mr. blumenauer: i appreciate this opportunity. following my colleague, ms. bush, with an example of how we are fine-tuning the apprenticeship program. one of the secrets in this country, best kept secrets in terms of a path to middle class wage, empowerment, and a key to our ability to rebuild and renew america. president biden hit the ground running, has been working on a

number of areas. none of his promises is more important than rebuilding and renewing america. we need to have a work force that enables us to get this job done. i have seen these programs work in my state and national training programs around the country. mr. speaker, i'm honored to enter into the record a statement from james hoffa, the general president of the teamsters, who points out that this is an investment of over $1.6 billion in private capital annually, the programs have long been considered the gold standard for work force development in the construction trades. . they provide a debt-free ladder of opportunity. apprentices develop the skills and -- the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. blumenauer: thank you, mr. speaker. this is what it's about, being able to take qualified young

people, give them skills, let them earn money through the apprenticeship programs, not a mountain of debt. time after time we've seen examples after just a couple of years they graduate into wages that enable them to support their family. mr. speaker, i am pleased to work with my colleagues in strengthening these programs. i've seen the training centers for the carpenters and ibew. these are -- the gold standard ought to provide an inspiration to everybody how we provide this path to the middle class, how we strengthen ability to deliver on our promises to rebuild and renew america and have the opportunity for them to earn money while they're doing it. i am pleased to support this proposal. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from michigan reserves.

the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: i'll continue to reserve, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: i'm prepared to close, so i'll reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. ms. foxx: it's my understanding that i close and it's up to the gentleman from michigan to close before i do since i -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina has the right to close. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, mr. speaker. thank you to my colleague from north carolina for continuing to educate me on the process of the house as i learn. mr. speaker, i'm reminded by representative bush's amendment of my experience attending graduations from pre-apprenticeship programs. and seeing whole families turn

out, seeing people turn out with their children, to celebrate the graduation from a pre-apprenticeship program that allows people, returning citizens, people with disabilities, people that have been excluded from economic opportunity before to get into an apprenticeship that can transform their life, that can rocket them to a middle-class life with a great wage and great benefits. i urge everyone to support this en bloc amendment, and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, no one on other side disagrees that millions of people in this country, now and in the future, need constant education and the opportunity to gain new skills. and mr. speaker, we all -- we all support apprenticeships. i want to tell a little story about how long i've been

involved in helping to create apprenticeships. i have a brother who's eight years younger than i. took me seven years to finish college. i had just barely finished and was working at a new resort in north carolina, beach mountain. he was a senior in high school. and he came to me and he said, i don't want to go to college, but i don't want you and mom and daddy to be ashamed of me. we've created a system in this country where we think people have to have a bachelor's degree to be successful. that's not true. i asked my brother what he wanted to do and he said a carpenter. i said that's about the most honorable profession in the world. some famous people were carpenters. i want to my boss. i don't know how i knew this. i said my brother would like to be a carpenter, we're desperate for carpenters, electricians, plumbers here. could we set up a car pen

tree -- car pen tree apprenticeship program. we did that with a junior college, community college, contractors and a.g.c. we set up a carpentry apprenticeship, mostly recently graduated high school students. my brother and three other guys graduated with their journeyman license. now, i consider that a great success. i've been interested in apprenticeships since 1969. i saw how successful they were. those are the kinds of programs we need to be fostering in this country. my brother went on to be an engineer with the telephone company. he never got a bachelor's degree, but he showed me how to use my first computer, taught me how to use it, set it up for me. my brother's a very successful man. a lot smarter than i am. but he did that by using his

skills, his brain. so we need -- and he continues to educate himself. what we need is constant education, the opportunity to learn new skills but this bill and these amendments don't advance the cause. we need to stop looking backwards 80 years and look forward to the needs of a modern economy. yes, the president hit the ground running. he sure did. he eliminated thousands of jobs in his first week and he continues to eliminate jobs with wrong-headed policies. this bill and many of our -- many of the actions of our colleagues indicate how beholden they are to union bosses. so i urge my colleagues to vote no on the en bloc amendment and no on the underlying bill. and with that, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back.

pursuant to house resolution 85, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from michigan. the question is on the amendment en bloc. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the en bloc is agreed to. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. >> mr. speaker, i request a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 3-f of house resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question are postponed. for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition? mr. levin: mr. speaker, pursuant to section 3 of house resolution 85, i rise to offer amendments en bloc number 2.

the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will designate the amendments en bloc. the clerk: consisting of amendments number 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 20, 24, and 26 printed in part b of house report17- -- report 117-3 offered by mr. levin of michigan. the speaker pro tempore: mr. levin and ms. foxx will each control 10 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. mr. levin: mr. speaker, i rise in support of en bloc amendments number 2. these amendments will add to the -- add the office of juvenile justice and delink wrensy -- delinquency prevention, the office of apprenticeship shall coordinate with the line of apprenticeship programs and mentorship programs for individuals who are exiting the juvenile justice system.

they will add agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing, computer science, environmental protection and conservation, and hospitality and tourism to the list of nontraditional apprenticeship industries and occupations supported by this bill. they will add opportunities to partner with veteran services organizations throughout the bill, increase flexibility and innovation by allowing demonstration projects in the national apprenticeship system. and direct the office of apprenticeship to cooperate with the department of justice and state departments of corrections to promote access to apprenticeship programs for individuals in correctional institutions and to assist returning citizens to transition into apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships. i urge you to support this block of amendments, the majority of which are bipartisan, that will strengthen this bill. i now yield two minutes to the gentleman from washington, mr. kilmer. the speaker pro tempore: the

gentleman from washington is recognized for two minutes. mr. kilmer: thank you, mr. speaker. i thank the gentleman for yielding. i rise today in support of this package of en bloc amendments, which includes a bipartisan amendment i offered to expand access to computer science youth apprenticeship programs that are critical to the 21st century workforce. we know that education is the door to economic opportunity, and one of the most american and foundational paths to high-quality work-based learning in education are apprenticeship programs. in today's changing economy, it's important to continue to find ways to prepare our kids for the jobs of the future. jobs in advanced manufacturing, in health care, technology, green jobs, and computer science. according to co.org, only 35% of -- high schools in the u.s. teach computer skieps -- science. opportunities from rural areas, and those of color do not attend

classes related to this. we know there is a growing demand for tech jobs, that we are struggling to meet for preparing students for these in-demand jobs and for equipping workers with advanced computer science skills. in fact, a lot of employers in the region i represent in northwest washington have job openings going unfilled because they can't find folks with the necessary computer science skills. to prepare students to be successful and innovative in the workforce, the federal government should help expand computer science education and pathways to more students. that's why my amendment would ensure that computer science youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are prioritized for funding through the historic national apprenticeship act of 2021. growing the number of computer science programs, including youth apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships for students in high school and beyond will provide more 21st century job opportunities for our kids, more high-skilled and qualified employees for our employers, and more economic resiliency for our

communities. i thank the chairman for his support for this simple, yet important amendment. i ask you to support this and the bill. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina rise? ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment though i am not opposed to the amendment. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for 10 minutes. ms. foxx: thu. this en bloc -- thank you. this en bloc incorporates 10 amendments with bipartisan support. i want to highlight a few in particular. first, the amendment offered by mr. feenstra of iowa will ensure the department of labor and justice collaborate -- departments of labor and justice collaborate on technical assistance to support the development of related instruction that is aligned with the mentoring program administered by the department of justice.

second, several amendments add industries to the list of nontraditional apprenticeship industries and occupations. modernizing the 80-year-old national apprenticeship act ought to include apprenticeship opportunities within a variety of sectors. far too often, society paints apprenticeships as only applying to the trades, which is unfortunate. and while there are certainly valuable pathways within those fields, we need to expand the horizons of what apprenticeships are capable of providing for workers. this is also why i think it is important to call these professions rather than the trades. a broader policy should not be limited by how it is traditionally been viewed or how we speak about it. third, the amendment offered by mr. lamb of pennsylvania and mr. taylor of texas includes veteran service organizations in several key places. because apprenticeships recognize and build on prior

knowledge and skills, veterans stand to benefit greatly from these opportunities and should be engaged in the system as much as possible. unfortunately, i do need to highlight one amendment that could be much stronger. our democrat colleagues have obviously recognized that the underlying bill does nothing to promote innovation in apprenticeships but instead simply doubles down on the status quo. and so several members have offered an amendment allowing for, quote, demonstration projects, end quote, to promote innovation. mr. speaker, this is insulting. this deserves a real debate on how to promote innovation within apprenticeships and work-based learning. republicans offered amendments to do just that, but they were not made in order. representative allen offered an amendment specifically to protect existing industry-driven apprenticeships currently operating out of the department of labor.

representative thompson offered an amendment to create additional innovation and work-based learning. rather than allowing that debate to take place and members to vote on these proposals, democrats blocked consideration of those amendments and offered these do-nothing fig leaves -- this do-nothing fig leaf of an amendment instead. even a limited authority for demonstrations must still be approved by an advisory committee with heavy labor representation, giving union bosses veto power over any new ideas that might threaten their hold on apprenticeships. . in the absence of real innovation, fake innovation is better than no invasion. we can do better. despite my frustrations to democrats' refuse to debate serious proposals to modernize the programs, on balance this en bloc amendment offers good ideas worthy of support. i support the en bloc amendment and encourage my colleagues to do the same. with that i reserve the balance

of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: madam speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from new hampshire, mr. pappas. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman may proceed. mr. pappas: thank you, madam speaker. thank you to my colleague from michigan for yielding and his work on this critical bipartisan piece of legislation. i rise in support of the national apprenticeship act and urge swift passage of this legislation which will help open the doors of economic opportunity to more americans. we must work to strengthen and expand apprenticeships, to align the skills of our workers with the needs of our employers and economy. too often, however, employers and workers are simply unaffair of what's out there. i'm pleased this legislation includes a provision i introduced that would create a centralized one stop shop where interested parties can access information on apprenticeship opportunities so we can best meet the needs of individuals, employers, educators, and trainers alike. i'm offering an amendment today that promotes demonstration projects, real demonstrate

projects, to explore new models of programs that can result in innovation, including how to adjust programs through the covid-19 pandemic for safety reasons. as we come back from this crisis, new ideas and proaches are so crucial to our -- approaches are so crucial to our success. apprenticeships offer an important ladder into good-paying jobs and lifelong careers, this legislation will make them more available and accessible. americans are ready, willing, and able to get to work, to rebuild our country, revitalize major trades and industry, and light a path for the few tumplete it's time we made it easier for the american worker who build the american dream. we can do that by passing the national apprenticeships act. i hope my colleagues will support the amendments and underlying bill. i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: i reserve, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, madam speaker. i would just like to point out

something that i also think has not been emphasized enough in this discussion. which is how cost-effective this bill is and these amendments only make it more so, and how it im-- it will improve the fiscal situation of the united states. we will have more tax revenue when more workers earn more money, get more good jobs. we will have less people who need public assistance. this bill not only provides tremendous opportunities for american workers to earn and learn, avoid debt while they are getting their credentials to get great jobs, but also really it's a very prudent and

wise investment on behalf of the american taxpayers. and with that i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. pursuant to house resolution -- the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, madam speaker. i find it intriguing our colleagues on the other side of the aisle say they are passing legislation that's cost-effective when they are anticipating millions of jobs and generating lots of revenue. especially when they are denying, when they are taking money from hardworking taxpayers who want to have apprenticeship programs that are not controlled by the federal government and not allowing those taxpayers, those employers, to tap into a system that has grant programs for them where they are creating real jobs, not controlled by

the unions. it's just intriguing to me that they could be doing that. i don't know fill' be here five years from now or mr. levin will be here five years from now, but i sure hope somebody does a check on the promise that is are being made here for all the wonderful things to come as a result of this bill. i predict that these, quote, investments, and those investments are the work of hard -- the incoming taken from hardworking taxpayers, are not going to produce what is being predicted by our colleagues. it's intriguing for me to hear that. i do hope somebody will be around to check on it and give a report on it. with that, madam speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. pursuant to house resolution

85, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from michigan. the question is on the amendments en bloc, so many as are in favor say aye,. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the aye vs. t the en bloc amendments are agreed to. without objection, the motion is laid upon the table. for what reason does the gentleman from michigan rise? mr. levin: madam speaker, pursuant to section 3 of house resolution 85, i rise to offer amendments en bloc number 3. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will designate the amendments en bloc. the clerk: en bloc number 3 consisting of amendments numbered 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, and 25 printed in part b of house report number 117-3, offered by mr. levin of michigan. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution 85, the gentleman from michigan, mr. levin, and the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. foxx, will each control 10 minutes. the chair recognizes the

gentleman from michigan. mr. levin: madam speaker, i rise in support of en bloc amendment number 3. these amendments will ensure the availability of user friendly materials, including materials in diverse languages, as part of the outreach required by this bill. they will add representative of the federal communications commission as an ex-afisho member of the national advisory committee on apprenticeships. strengthens state's efforts to ensure low-income individuals have equal access to apprenticeships. clarify the inclusion of renewable energy in the list of nontraditional apprenticeship industries and occupations, supported in this bill. promote access to grants made under this bill for minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses. increase support for apprenticeship hubs and work force development organizations that support nontraditional

populations and dislocated workers. increase the ability of preapprenticeship programs to offer stipends to participants, and encourage employers to participate in apprenticeship programs that target individuals with language barriers. again, madam speaker, just reading the list of these wonderful amendments offered by our colleagues shows the spirit of innovation and outreach that this bill represents. i urge you to support this block of amendments that will strengthen the bill. i now yield one minute to the gentlelady from wisconsin, miss strictland. the speaker pro teore: the gentlewoman may proceed. ms. strickland: thank you, madam speaker. i rise today in support of my amendment which requires the office of apprenticesh to use best practices to recruit and retain nontraditional

candidates. in 2019, only 9% of the 280,000 apprenticeships surveyed by the department of labo were women. nearly 16% were nonwhite. in a country where nearly half the labor market is made up of wome and a corte are people of color, our training program, often debt-free pathways to gd-paying jobs, must include the full diversity of our nation. my amendment addresses this problem by ensuring apprenticeship programs have ample resources to effectively nontraditional candidates. but we can't stop there. we must continue to uplift all communities in my home and across the nation by equitably supporting women and people of color supporting the american dream. everyone deserves access to economic opportunity and stability. i urge the adoption of this amendment and underlying bill. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from michigan reserves.

the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: madam speaker, i rise to claim time in opposition to the en bloc amendment though i am not opposed to the amendment. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. i want to highlight a couple of amendments in the en bloc that i have some reservations about, and that i think would benefit from additional discussion if this bill is taken up in the senate. first, moore amendment number 15 creates a new requirement on quote, state agencies, unquote. i don't think new reporting requirements will achieve our goal of increasing employer name in the registered apprenticeship program. when the underlying bill doubles down on the reasons employers choose not to participate in the first place. but i would at least encourage my democrat friends to clarify if they mean for that reporting requirement to apply only to quote state apprenticeship agencies, or if they truly want

to empower the department of labor to demand reports of any and every state agency if it chooses regardless of that agency's involvement in apprenticeship programs. second, payne amendment number 18 may well make it harder to engage small and medium-sized employers by requiring grantees to have demonstrated expertise in engaging specific types of small and medium-sized businesses. mr. speaker, -- madam speaker, to be absolutely clear, i believe this should take -- believe we should take reasonable steps to encourage grantees to partner with small businesses owned and controlled by women, minorities, or veterans, the underlying bill does this. unfortunately the payne amendment actually requires demonstrated success in this area which would likely shrink the poll of grantees

significantly. particularly in location that is already offer fewer apprenticeship programs. this is a well-meaning amendment, as well-intentioned it is, i hope the senate will take another look how to increase the participation of minority, women, and veterans owned businesses without creating requirements that will reduce apprenticeship opportunities. the balance of the amendment are unobjectionable. they are unobjectionable because they mostly don't do anything noteworthy. in some cases they repeat provisions already in the bill. in other cases they add additional items to existing laundry list. in short, these amendments are fine. they don't make the bill better in any substantive way, but they don't make it worse. but, madam speaker, the fact that the majority's spending our time on mostly meaningless amendments highlights the fundamental flaw in this bill and process. we are on the floor debating

amendments that don't do much while amendments that could have made significant improvements in the bill were blocked by the democrats from consideration. we talked repeatedly during this debate about how the democrat bill eliminates existing work-based learning programs at the department of labor. mostly nursing apprenticeship programs. at a time our economy, particularly the health care sector, needs all the help it can get. representative allen offered an amendment to remedy this flaw in the bill, but my democrat friends were afraid of taking that vote. we aren't considering that proposal today. we have talked repeatedly about how this bill doubles down on the existing flaws of the current 80-year-old system, while offering no opportunities for employers or workers to pursue meaningful innovation in the work-base learning space. representative thomson offered an amendment to fix that

problem in the bill, but democrats didn't want to take that vote, either. we have talked repeatedly about how this bill seeks to protect big labor at the expense of workers in desperate need of high quality apprenticeship programs. representative keller offered an amendment and mr. perry spoke of this inequity in his floor amendment. the amendment from mr. keller would have put union and nonunion apprenticeship programs on equal footing. democrats won't let the people's house weigh in on that issue. madam speaker, i'm going to support this en bloc amendment, but i hope at some point we'll have an honest debate about how to truly improve this bill to provide workers the apprenticeship opportunities they need or at least to protect the apprenticeship opportunities they currently have. with that, i reserve the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the the gentlewoman from north carolina reserves. gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, madam speaker. the rhetoric, tired rhetoric about big labor, big labor, big labor, the organizations that workers create and pay for themselves to advocate their interests, yes, there is a lot of support for this bill from the labor movement. this bill is this bill is also endorsed by our mayors, by the national league of cities. it's also endorsed by our community colleges. their national association. it's also endorsed by multiple industry associations. including associations representing areas that don't have a lot of apprenticeships that hope to have more.

and it's endorsed by many equity organizations such as the national urban league. i also want to point out something else. no company or group of companies has to register their program. they're perfectly free in this land of this the -- land of the free to set up a training program, to pay for it themselves, to partner with labor organizations or colleges, to even use the word apprenticeship. nobody has to register their apprenticeship. they're free to do whatever they want. this is about the federal government developing and nurturing training programs that we can proudly say meet high standards to give real opportunities to preserve these kind of statistics we're talking about. people who complete an apprenticeship, earning an

average of $70,000 a year. 94% of people who complete apprenticeships getting good jobs. also, some of my colleagues keep saying that all registered apprenticeships are controlled by the federal government. simply not true. half of the states have state apprenticeship agencies, including the great state of north carolina. in this bill, we codify their important and autonomous role and for the first time ever, we provide annual funding because states have been so successful at expanding apprenticeships through department of labor grants. again, for the first time we streamline the registration process and create an in the box apprenticeship program to make it easier for small and

medium-sized businesses to get in this game. madam speaker, this bill is such a wonderful improvement on an already wonderful job training program. i urge everyone to support these en bloc amendments and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan yields back. the gentlewoman from north carolina is recognized. ms. foxx: thank you, madam speaker. our colleagues talk a lot about the fact that 94% of people who complete ea prenticeship programs get jobs immediately. but they never talk about the gold standard they call the registered programs which graduate only 43%. of the people who enter them. so i think they're very selective in the statistics that they use. madam speaker, expanding funding and giving funding to state

apprenticeship offices, in my opinion, is just a hook for more federal control, and everything about this underlying bill is to have more and more control at the federal government level which enhances the role of unions in apprenticeship programs. that is not the way we should be going. our colleagues have not noticed, i think, how quickly the work force is having to adapt to particularly technological changes that are occurring in our country. these programs change very, very little over time. because of the hide bound unions and hide bound system that we have. we need the employers on the ground who are dealing with creating new jobs all the time

in new industries to be able to tap into their taxpayer dollars that are coming into the federal government which are denied to them unless they're hooked to a union. that is wrong. and we need fair systems, as mr. keller, mr. perry have pointed out. even the standards set for industry programs that are controlled by unions are different. than they are in the private sector. they're more regulations -- there are more regulations on the private sector than the union programs. this is not a good way for us to be going in the year 2021. we need innovation, we need to be forward looking, not backward looking. and with that, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman has the only time

remain -- remaining. ms. foxx: has the gentleman from michigan yielded? ok. madam speaker, i yield. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from north carolina yield back. pursuant to house resolution 5, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from michigan. the question is on the amendments en bloc. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. the en bloc amendments are agreed to. without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. it is now in order to consider amendment number 10 printed in house report 117-3. for what purpose does the gentleman from arkansas seek recognition? mr. hill: i have an amendment at the desk. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 10 printed in part b of house report 117-3, offered by mr.

hill of arkansas. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution 85, the gentleman from arkansas, mr. hill, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from arkansas. mr. hill: i thank the speaker and i want to thank my friend if michigan and my friend from north carolina for their leadership in promoting apprenticeship programs that benefit the american people. madam speaker, my amendment is simple. it trades one word for another but the impact is significant. the national apprenticeship act states, to the extent practical that partnerships for funding under title ii be part of an industry or sector partnership and partner with a labor or joint labor management organization. my amendment changes and to an or. i'm afraid that the unintended consequence of the word and will

be treated as a requirement for the federal government that entities requesting funding under title ii must partner with a union. this bill as written allows the government to play favorites with title ii funding and instead we should encourage entities to be empowered to make choices that are best for the work force in their area. in my view, entities applying for title ii funding should be partnering with union and nonunion industry leaders. but i have no doubt that should this bill become law, bureaucrats in the department of labor will interpret the use of and in this section to mean that if you are not partnered with the union organization, you'll not receive funding. that's my concern. in my home state of arkansas doesn't have a large union presence like many states around the country and this legislation would make it more difficult for

entities in my home state to receive title ii funding. so with that, madam speaker, let me reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from arkansas reserves. for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan rise? mr. levin: i rise in opposition to the amendment. the clerk: -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, madam speaker. this amendment changes the word and, to or, as my colleague from arkansas pointed out. and it may seem like a small change, but instead it inadvertently could take away employers' seat at the table for apprenticeship grant partnerships. let me explain why. although my republican colleague likely introduced this amendment to ensure that apprenticeship grn tees do not have to partner with labor union, the unintended consequence is that it also ensures that applicants would not have to partner with an

industry or sector partnership at the expense of only partnering with a union. those in support of this amendment may not realize that nothing about this amendment prevents partnerships with labor organizations. as industry or sector partnerships as defined in the work forest innovation and opportunity act require three key stake holders. representatives of multiple businesses or employees -- employers, including small and medium-sized employers, labor representatives, and education or training programs. any way you slice it this amendment does not actually meet the republican goal of atabbing labor unions. but instead attacks small and medium-sized employers that could be part of these grant programs. at a time when small and medium-sized businesses across this country are struggling to get back on their feet, thanks to the mismanagement of this

pandemic by the trump administration, the last thing we need to do is take away their ability to benefit fully from the apprenticeship grants that are part of this bill. i would urge my colleague to withdraw the shortsighted amendment and ensure we're doing everything we can to help small and medium-sized businesses and education partners have a seat at the table for these apprenticeship grants and if he does not i urge my colleagues to support small businesses and vote no on this amendment and finally, let me just say that i think my colleague eloquently explained a situation where the where practicable language was written for. if there aren't any unions around, you're not going to be able to partner with unions. so it's really not a problem. so this amendment doesn't do what it is intended to do, it's harmful, and i urge people to oppose it. i yield back. i reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from arkansas is

recognized. mr. hill: may i inquire how much time, madam speaker? the speaker pro tempore: you have three minutes. mr. hill: let me insert in the record a letter in support of my amendment from the association of home builder and association of general contractors. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. hill: madam speaker, let me yield to my friend from north carolina one minute, the distinguished ranking member on the house committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman may proceed. ms. foxx: i thank my distinguished colleague for yielding. currently, the underlying bill favors grant funding for entities that partner with unions. this would block countless potential participants from accessing these funds and would further cement the program in the way it's been since the 1930's. if we want to reach one million apprenticeships in this country, i fail to see how limiting access by creating earmarks and

kickbacks will achieve that goal. the amendment offered by representative hill would make it optional for grant applications to partner with unions. if the majority truly believes that this is not a requirement intended to push more workers into unions, this should be no more than a technical clarification. although it would not redeem the underlying bill this amendment would be a step in the right direction toward opening more apprenticeship opportunities for americans. i strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back, the gentleman from arkansas reserves. the gentleman from michigan is recognized. mr. levin: thank you, madam speaker. let me just explain a little more for folks at home who may, you know, not be obviously reading all the details of this, the many pages of this bill, what we're talking about.

this is about who is eligible to apply for grants, certain grants under this bill. and it -- it says that to be eligible to apply for a grant under this title and eligible -- a demonstrated partnership with two or more of the following and then lists quite a number of different groups that they could partner with. state and local work force development boards, education training providers, state apprenticeship agencies, indian tribes or tribal organizations, industry partnerships, governors, labor organizations, commun-based organizations. two or more. two or more. then it says these words. to the extent practicable, the qualified intermediary and the extent practicable it shall be part of an industry or sector partnership and partner with the labor or joint management ornyization.

that's all it says. and the idea of changing that and to or would fundamentally change it. it would reduce the level of collaboration and it would possibly eliminate the industry or sector partnership from the -- from the -- from the grant application or a labor organization but since we -- since it requires labor organizations, it's not going to do what they think it does. it's a bad idea. it's not well crafted. i urge my colleagues to oppose it and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. theentleman from arkansas is recognized. mr. hill: i thank the speaker, i thank my friend from michigan. he in the last congress in putting the and into the act said he wanted to give a shoutout to unions. and therefore i think he's and he's identified it very well that this doesn't improve

flexibility and choice. and reading the and as a directive. i believe the or is important. covid-19 crisis.ruggling with restrictions as it relates to title 2 funding in this bill unintentionally hurt the american people trying to get new jobs and opportunities. we need every angle to help our citizens get to a successful career. i call on my colleagues to support this simple amendment to change the underlying legislation. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the the gentleman has the remaining time. mr. hill: in closing let me say this. bottom line, the construction industry, important to every one of our states, registered apprenticeships trained about 28,000 people a year where a need there is over 440,000 people a year in construction. we need more flexibility. this amendment is flexible. it supports the american people. i urge a yes vote. i yield back the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from arkansas yields back. pursuant to house resolution 85, the previous question is ordered on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arkansas. the question is on the amendment. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed to. mr. hill: madam speaker, i ask a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to -- the yeas and nays have been ordered. pursuant to section 3 of house resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 , further proceedings on this question are postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 22 printed in house report 117-3. for what purpose does the the gentlewoman from new york seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i have an amendment at the desk. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 22,

printed in part b of house report number 117-3, offered by ms. stefanik of new york. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to house resolution 85, the gentlewoman from new york, ms. stefanik, and a member opposed, each will control five minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york. ms. stefanik: thank you, madam speaker. for more than a year america's workers have faced unprecedented challenges and unimaginable uncertainty. today nearly nine million fewer americans are working than before the covid-19 struck. robbing mothers, fathers, friends, and neighbors of the dignity, purpose, and security of work. as we help our nation recover from the economic toll of covid-19 and strive to restore the livelihoods of millions of america's workers, we have a responsibility to put forth solutions that strengthen the pathways to meaningful family sustaining careers. the apprenticeship model of providing paid work experience

coupled with classroom instruction and on-the-job mentorship is a proven approach to eequipping workers with the stills they need for life lonk success. individuals who complete high quality apprenticeship programs enter into well paying jobs and do so without the debt that so often saddles our younger generation of workers. yet less than 3% of the work force participate in these registered apprenticeship system. and the vast majority of the programs are concentrated in only a handful of industries. this leaves our strongest work force development strategies vastly underutilized and emphasizes a blunt truth, doubling down on this decades old system won't change the trajectory during this historic time of need. we must develop a apprenticeship system that is responsive to the demands of the 21st century workplace and accessible to job creators in emerging industry sectors.

unfortunately, the democrats' bill doubles down on a one size fits all approach that closes pathways into the work force and stifles the employer-led innovation. for all the rhetoric about expanding apprenticeships, the most immediate impact of the underlying bill would be just the opposite, pulling the rug out from under new programs that are eequipping health care workers to combat the pandemic. my substitute amendment makes improvements to modernize and reig vigorate the national apprenticeship system, changes that will increase opportunities for workers and help bolster the nation's economic recovery. first, expanding apprenticeships to small businesses and new industries will require flexibilities for employers to design a program that fits their unique needs. our amendment provides this flexibility by allowing small businesses to seek waivers to federal requirements that don't match the nature of their business and would prevent them from ever developing a apprenticeship program. second, engaging more americans in apprenticeship opportunities

will require a robust pipeline of workers with the base skills and workplace competencies to succeed. our amendment will help grow youth and preapprenticeship programs by eequipping them to prepare the next generation for a full range of work force development opportunities in careers, not siloing them from the start. and third, in order to empower american innovation, we must allow new models of work-based learning to thrive and let work force leaders across the country inject dynamism into the age old system. our amendment preserves the ability for innovation beyond the traditional registered system to ensure that apprenticeships official can develop and adapt as quickly as our job market demands. there is no clear example of the promise of innovative models than the array of industry recognized programs recently developed to educate nurses and health care professionals in the midst of the public health crisis we face. i urge my colleagues to support this amendment to modernize the

apprenticeship system and generate opportunities for american workers without the red tape and the roadblocks that remain in the underlying bill. i thank ranking member fox. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york reserves. for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan rise? mr. levin: mr. speaker, i rise to claim time in opposition to the amendment. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman may proceed. mr. levin: thank you. first, madam speaker, i would like to introduce in the record a letter from the manufacturing institute in support of the bill. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. levin: thank you. madam speaker, this amendment undermines the core premises behind the national apprenticeship act of 2021 which are to create one million more registered apprenticeship, preapprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years. registered apprenticeships represent a proven earn and learn program. 94% of those who complete their apprenticeships are employed

upon completion, and they have an average starting salary of $70,000. this substitute amendment is nothing less than an attack on the successful registered apprenticeship system. it makes deep cuts to funding in h.r. 447, which will result in sparse growth in new registered apprenticeships. while diverting scarce funds to untested and unproven programs run by third parties. instead it gives the secretary of labor and state apprenticeship agencies open ended authority to waive the quality and accountability standards in this act. authorizing funding for a program without guardrails is not an approach congress should be taking to working with the executive branch of either party. allow me to address the specifics of this substitute amendment. first, it allows the secretary of labor to divert funds for unproven and untested programs like the industry recognized

apprenticeship programs or i ps, created under the trump administration. unlike registered apprenticeships, there has been no evaluation of unregistered perhaps like iraps. none. when d.o.l. proposed the creation of iraps, it received over 300,000 comments in opposition. congress should not be opening the spigots of taxpayer money for programs that lack broad public support, especially when there is no evidence the programs that do not meet registered apprenticeship standards are effective at all. this is an irresponsible use of taxpayer money. democrats are, in fact, leading on innovation. for example, an amendment offered by the gentleman from new hampshire, mr. pappas, that was included in the en bloc amendments, allows the secretary of labor to fund innovation in apprenticeships by authorizing demonstration projects in nontraditional sectors. subject to the recommendation

of the national advisory committee on apprenticeships appointed by the secretary. these projects could even help with the covid-19 response. second, the substitute amendment slashes funding for apprenticeship grants from $3.5 billion to $1.1 billion over the next five years. it cuts state apprenticeship formula grants from $475 million to $385 million over five years. states have asked us for funding certainty so they can scale up their apprenticeship efforts and have been documented to be an engine of success for the growth of apprenticeships. this cut is a 77% reduction in total funding resulting in only 219,000 new apprenticeship opportunities. this is an easy choice. 219,000 apprenticeship opportunities versus nearly one million apprenticeship opportunities that the national apprenticeship act of 2021

provides. we all agree that apprenticeships are a pathway to the middle class. so why would we want to eliminate the rungs of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of apprentices. third, this amendment eliminates the interagency agreement with the department of education to create stronger alignment between the education system anti-national apprenticeship system. my colleagues on the other side of the aisle often talk about wanting to create pathways for students to pursue alternatives to a four year degree, but this amendment eliminates provisions of the national apprenticeship act to do that and in a way that is sought by our institutions of higher education. as i mentioned earlier, our community colleges strongly support the act as it is. some say we are creating a one-size-fits-all approach with bill, that isn't true, either. we include new apprenticeship

models such as competency based and hybrid options and expand youth apprenticeships and preapprenticeships, something employers have consistently requested. this amendment is a step in the wrong direction. at a time when at least seven million people have permanently lost their jobs due to the mishandling of the pandemic and the economy is facing a deep recession, the underlying bill is focused on getting people back to work with the best skills possible. i urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment and yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. ms. stefanik: madam speaker, i yield to ranking member fox. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman may proceed. ms. foxx: i rise in support of the amendment offered by representative stefanik, a distinguished member of the education and labor committee. modernizing the apprenticeship system in this country is more important now than ever as millions are in need of rekilling. this amendment would improve drastically the registered

apprenticeship program while also permitting d.o.l. to pursue models of work-based learning outside the registered system such as industry recognized apprenticeship programs. the exclusion of this amendment would stop this innovative progress and crap the 131 iraps that have already been recognized, the vast majority of which are for nursing credentials. unlike the democrats' narrow-minded bill, representative stefanik's amendment recognizes the need for students, workers, and job creators. i urge my colleagues to support this commonsense alternative and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. ms. stefanik: madam speaker, how much time do i have left? the speaker pro tempore: 15 seconds. ms. stefanik: i urge adoption of this amendment. this is about getting millions of americans back to work. this amendment supports small businesses. this amendment supports preapprenticeship programs. and most importantly this amendment supports innovation. i urge adoption of this amendment. i yield back.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york yields back. pursuant to house resolution 85, the previous question is ordered on an amendment offered by the gentlewoman from new york. the question is on the amendment. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. the amendment is not agreed . to ms. stefanik: madam speaker, i request a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 3 of house resolutionle, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 , further proceedings on this question are postponed. pursuant to clause 1-c of rule 19, further consideration of h.r. 447 is postponed.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition? >> madam speaker, i send to the desk a privileged report from the committee on rules for filing under the rule. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title. the clerk: report to accompany house resolution 101, resolution providing for the adoption of the concurrent resolution, senate concurrent resolution 5, setting forth the congressional budget for the united states government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030. the speaker pro tempore: referred to the house calendar and ordered printed. for what purpose does the gentleman from new york seek recognition? >> madam speaker, by direction of the committee on rules, i call up house resolution 101 and ask for its immediate

consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 5, house resolution 101, resolved that senate concurrent resolution 5 is hereby adopted. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized for one hour. >> madam speaker, for the purpose of debate only, i yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman and my colleague from the rules committee from the state of texas, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. during consiration of all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. i ask unanimous consent that all members be given five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. morelle: today the rules committee met and reported a rule, house resolution 101 providing for adoption of s.con.res. 5 setting forth the

congressional budget for the united states government for fiscal year 2021 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2022 through 2030. madam speaker, i am once again on the floor it'd to urge my colleagues to adopt the rule and support pass act of this budget resolution. across our nation, americans are facing a dire crisis. many have lost loved ones, even more have lost livelihoods. small businesses are shuttering their doors, hospitals are being pushed to their limits and students are falling behind. in the past year alone, congress has taken steps to respond to the needs of struggling americans. but i know that each and every one of my colleagues can agree that we have a long road yet to travel. passing this budget resolution is a necessary step to fast track essential covid relief, the american rescue plan. i know the gentleman from texas and many of his colleagues on the other se of the aisle have aired complaints about the

process begun earlier this week. if these were normal times and if we were dealing with more mundane issues, i would share their concerns. i'm a strong believe for the bipartisanship. in compromise. and in regular order in the house and senate. but these are certainly not normal times. we are not dealing with mundane issues. we face the greatest crisis in our lifetime. americans are counting on us, relying on us, and we have a moral imperative to save lives and families from destitution. as of yesterday afternoon, 452,272 americans have died from this tragic disease. 54 -- 454,272 americans have died. a disease that has ripped a hole in million os hearts that can never be repaired. the victims of the disease have left spouses, children, grarne, parents, friends, and people who

needed them, who rely on them and who loved them. nothing we can do now will fix that. but we face the prospect of losing thousands more and we can and must fix that. this isn't just appropriate. this isn't just wise. this is a moral imperative. even families that have not lost a loved one have faced the disastrous consequences of the pandemic. nearly 11 million americans are unemployed, more than double the number before the spread of covid-19. as a result, one in three american families have faced difficulty covering the regular household expenses. an estimated one in five dulls are behind on rent and 10.3 million homeowners are behind on their mortgages. this isn't just desirable, this isn't just sensible, this is a moral imperative. parents in my district and in so many communities are struggling to put food on the table for their families.

nearly 24 million people or nearly 11% of all adults in this country have reported their household sometimes or often didn't have enough to eat in the past seven days. before the pandemic, the department ofing a culture found that number was fewer thaten 3.5% over the full 12 months of 2019. this isn't just adviseable, this isn't just constructive. this is a moral imperative. so let's talk about what we're going to do to rise to this challenge. we are moving forward with a budg reconciliation process to ensure that congress can pass meaningful coronavirus relief without delay or partisan gridlock. the budget resolution before us provides a framework for reconciliation with a target of up to $1.9 trillion. it is designed solely to respond to the ongoing crisis and deliver critical relief as quickly as possible. this will enable us to finally beat this virus and continue on

the path of a national economic recovery. we will mount a national vaccination program, setting up veterans administration nation -- vaccination sites across the country. we'll provide direct housing and nutrition assistance to families in need. the american recovery plan will also provide direct assistance to americans with stimulus payments including assistance for dependents. it will also provide crucial support for the hardest hit small businesses as well as first responders and frontline workers who have done so much to turn back the tide of this virus. but without the reconciliation directives in this resolution, any bold action could languish indefinitely in the senate. putting the health and well being of millions of american families at risk. for those concerned about the national debt or possibility of future inflation, i urge them to heed the advice from federal reserve chairman jerome powell, a republican oy apointed by president trump to the federal reserve chairmanship when he

warned us to be more worried about falling short of a complete recovery and losing people's careers and lives and the damage that will do to our economic future. moving forward with budget reconciliation does not preclude a strong bipartisan agreement that can gain wide support in the house and senate. there's no need for partisanship on this issue. while it seems we may be divided today in this chamber, the american people clearly are not. the overwhelming majority including a majority of republicans across this country support passage of emergency legislation including stimulus pames, vaccine funding, and other pandemic responses in this plan. this is not a partisan issue. because it is not only red or blue families, but families of all political persuasions that are struggling, and i am certain my colleagues in the minority know that all too well. so i urge members of this house to support this budget resolution so we can immediately

get to work on this desperately needed american rescue plan. it is our moral imperative. madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: i thank the gentleman for yielding me the customary 30 minutes and i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman may proceed. mr. burgess: today's rule deems the senate version of the budget resolution s.con.res. 5 as passed. last night, the senate considered this measure along with hundreds of amendments. the house passed its version, h.n.res. 11, on wednesy. the two measures are largely the same but because the senate veion has minor changes, we find ourselves once again considering a measure that the house has already passed. even though we are once again considering a rule for the budget resolution, we will not actually debate and pass because

this rule deems the resolution as passed. i think it is important for members to recognize, this is your only vote on adding nearly $2 trillion to the deficit. if this is she way we're going to achieve the passage of a budget resolution, why didn't we take more time to negotiate a better product for the american people? instead we spent hours on what has amounted to procedural votes, the house has had little to say in the resolution outlining the reconciliation instructions by simply deeming the senate version in this rule. as i mentioned on tuesday, budget reconciliation is a fast track tool used to implement policy changes into law requiring only 51 votes in the senate to pass. senator sanders stated that buet reconciliation does not have to be a partisan project. i actually agree with that.

but at is exactly what this resolution sets up. democrats control the house and the senate and the white house. so we don't need to work with the republicans on a resolution to benefit americans. democrats previously promised $2,000 stimulus checks, billions for state and local governments, pension bailouts, unemployment benefits, implementation of green new deal, path to citizenship for illegal aliens, lowering medicare age eligibility, providing universal basic income, increasing the minimum wage and canceli student loan debt. but as we have seen in previous relief packages, many stimulus checks when to individuals who had actually kept their jobs or had no decrease in their pay. these checks could have been sent to those most in need, those who lost their jobs or struggling to find work. in additionmark state and local governments are in the red due to mismanagement of their budgs. this actually occurred before the pandemic began and now tax

payerer -- taxpayers are being asked to bail them out for that fiscal mismanagement that actually was decades in the making. . while americans should be able to compete for a livable wage, raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour really does put some people at a disadvantage. fast food workers are now at the same -- paid at the same level as paramedics, though the training for those two jobs is clearly different. according to the congressional budget office, raising the minimum wage without considering market conditions could result in the loss of well over a million jobs. student loan repayments are currently paused, but canceling that debt altogether harms individuals who have already paid back their loans and places that burden on the taxpay. it also sends a message that you do not have to be responsible for the debt that you accumulate. these policies are part of

president biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that could ultimately increase the deficit between $2 trillion and $3 trillion. but it does not address the immediate needs of americans who are trying to survive the pandemic. so now is not the time to push through partisan priorities. barely a month ago, congress passed and president trump signed into law a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. combined with previous relief packages -- and there have been several -- three in march, one in april, one in december -- there remains $1 trillion in unspent funding. as i pointed out on tuesday, there have been few efforts to conduct oversight on this massive amount of funding. in addition, yesterday, larry sommers, president clinton's treasury secretary, an economic advisor to president obama, published an opinion piece outlining the risks of president biden's massive $1.9 trillion

package. secretary sommers points out that 2009 stimulus was about half as large as the estimated economic output shortfall. in contrast, the already enacted $900 billion stimulus congress passed in december will fill the gap three times over. to make this even more clear, the output shortfall due to the pandemic is estimated between $20 billion and $50 -- $ 20 billion and $50 billion a month. you ask, why is it suddenly so urgent we pass another $2 trillion bill? i am pleased that there are a few amendments happened last night. the senate moved to not increase the minimum wage, not moving the embassy in jerusalem, not giving

stimulus to undocumented aliens. they didn't pass an amendment th would have not increase the carbon tax. regardless of these proceedings, ther exists of examples of bipartisanship. now is time to focus on policy and determine the best way forward for our country. republicans do stand ready to work with democrats. last march, last april there was considerable agreement on the way forward. but while replicans do stan ready to work with democrats to provide needed resources for the american people, we must ensure all proposals are thoroughly examined and will be implemented in a way tha helps, rather than harms, our recovery. despite calling for unity, the first move by president biden and democrats is to employ a partisan process, jam through a

wish list of priority policies. i sincerely hope that the committees tasked with complying with the budget reconciliation instructions will engage in a more bipartisan manner. with that, i urge opposition to the rule, and i'll reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. morelle: thank you, madam speaker. just a couple of brief points. first as it relates to the amount of discussion about this. we debated this resolution, which is with a few changes earlier this week on wednesday at a lgthy conversation. we're discussing it again now. if we're successful in passing this resolution, it will go to the appropriate standing committees for their markup on the various allocations in this resolution. and then it will come back here for passage again. so i think it's fair to say, from a process point of view, that we'll have plenty of opportunities to make our arguments in front of the american public and let them

decide on the approprianess of our actions. but i would hardly say that isn't going to be ample time to have these conversations and make these distinctions, if that's what we choose to do. just a brief word on the minimum wage. i hope we come back to it. i had the privilege of leading the debate on the rule when we increased the minimum wage in th house last year. you make the minimum wage in the united states, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 hour. so if you work an entire 40-hour week you'll make $290 gross. if you work 52 weeks out of the year at that level, you will make $15,080 for a year, gross income. so do we think americans, who work 40 hours a week for 52 weeks a year should make more than $15,000 a yea yes, we do. guilty as chaed. we can havehat conversation, either in reconciliation, should that be the desire of the

committees and the senate, but we will certainly have it again on this floor, because it's part of what we believe and the values we hold dear, as the majority in this house. as it relates to bipartisanship, we have said bore, i said it earlier, chairman yarmuth said it repeatedly, we are happy and want to have a conversation about a bipartisan agreement. but whether whave a bipartisan agreement or not, we are going president biden met with 10 members of the united states senate just earlier this week to talk about compromise. he has signaled repeatedly his willingness to do it, but we are going to do it wi owithout a bipartisan agreement because leadership is what this moment requires. i dare say i imagine there are not many families in america who really, at the end of the day, care more about how we put this deal together than they care about getting a stimulus check to pay their rent, they care about their children being safe

when they go back to school, that they care about unemployment benefits, if they happen to be one of the nearly 11 million americans who is out of work through no fault of their own, but because of a deadly virus, whh doesn't care if you're a demrat or a republican. so we are going to ovide leadership and, frankly, i think it's probably surprising to some to see a president engaged in the daily activities of the le of his government. and the life of our country. someone who careseeply about th future of america, who cares about the families who are in need, who cares about those who are sick, those who are dying. so that may be surprising. it's a little out of the norm in cent years, but we have a president who is fully engaged. bipartisanship is what he's asked for. bipartisanship is what he's talked about. it's what we seek here, but absent it, we wi lead because too many americansre suffering and in crisis. with that, let me yield three minutes to the distinguished gentlema from oreg, mr.

blumenauer. the spker pro tempore: the gentleman from oregon is recognized for three minutes. mr. blumenauer: i appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. as i appreciate his words. this is a step in a long process. there are ample opportunities for bipartisanship. i am hopeful that after years of talking about infrastructure, for instance, and having that loosy pull the football away, president trump said he'd like to do it but were incapable of moving forward, even though there was a broad consensus. actually on both sides of the aisle. i think president biden is prepared to roll up his sleeves and do that with us. and the contrast between what we saw with president biden opening up, talking to republicans, leveling with the american people, and, yet, at the beginning -- a year ago -- we had documented evidence that trump refused to acknowledge the

urgency of the coronavirus. he soft peddled it, along with bungling result thahas tens of people have died, maybe hundreds thousands of people who didn't need to die. we've se it in other countries. we're moving forward. i look forward to having opportunities from our republican friends to join us. the reconciliation process is one step forward. i can't help contrasting it with how we've seen reblicans use reconciliation. i was on theays and means committee while they were literally writing the bill as we were meeting late into the morning, chaing it as we went on. they didn't know what was in it. that produced almost $2 trillion worth of deficit from people who are now fiscally conservative. the contrast is stunning. we're going in to meengs with the ways and means committee duri the day next week, not

one day, not two ds. we're prepared to be there three days or on into the weekend. but i wanted to just take a moment to talk about one area of bipartisan cooperation tt really lifts my spirits. i've been working for a year to try and rescu america's independent restaurants, people who have been hit hardest by the coronavirus of any employment group. 500,000 restaurants. there are 11 million employees, have suffered more than any other area. i'm pleased that the senate, last night, by a 90-10 vote, approved the framewo of our restaurants bill, providing space in the reconciliation process, 90-10, and i'm pleased that the restaurants bill that we have reintroduced that last session had over 200

co-sponsors. we picked up on h.r. 793, 44 coponsors in the last -- in less than 24 hours. i commend our friends in the senate who've helped usut. i commend the bipartisan work on this. mr. morelle: i yield the gentleman another minute, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman may proceed another minute. mr. blumenauer: i appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. i am excited thathis is one area that there's an opportunity to have that bipartin cooperation. the biden administration suppts it. we have republican and democratic support in the senate. my good friend, senator wicker, senator sinema have led the charge there. this is bright spot for a very troubled part of our economy. independent restaurants, which are the cornetone of all of our communities. and i hope we can come together to support this on a bipartisan basis as we move forward with

reconciliation. i appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. i appreciate the time. i yield back. the speaker pro tempo: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas is mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. i just do need to say one thing. a year ago -- and the gentleman had the opportunity to be in the same briefings that all of us were in. these were bipartisan briefings in the capitol visitors center. all of the people came and talked to us and talked to us about the dangerous waters ahead because of this plague coming out of china. and ereould be no mistaking, the difficulties that were ahead. this was -- this was information that was available to all of us. it was not information that was secret or waived by the previous adminiration not shared. it was here th we were given that same information. d unfortunately, i sit on one of the authorizing committees that is responsible f pandemic preparedness. did we do a single thing on a hearing basis during the nth of february? the answer is no.

we added on one hour to the end of a budget hearing at the end of february, and by the middle of march, we had to suspend all activity in the congress because of the pandemic. we squandered the weeks that were available to us. the president bought us some time by cutting off foreign travel from china. the problem is that , as the house of representatives, democratic leadership my commtee did not use that time effectively. now i would le to yield two minutes to a valuable new freshman member and two minutes the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from florid is recognized for two minutes. the gentlewoman may proceed. mrs. cammack: thank you to the gentleman for yielding. madam speaker, i rise before you today in opposition to this rule. since we began this new congress in january -- and i realize that i am new he -- but i have yet to see a single action by this house that uld be interpreted

as bipartisan, unifying, or if we're being honest, a good use of our collective time. our nation is experiencing one of the worst crises in o histry. last congress, this body passed legislation that was quadruple, quadruple the size of all new deal programs combined. and that is adjusted for inflation. we're talking about $4 trillion. ed too's sutions cannot be -- today'solutions cannot b tomorrow's problems. madampeaker, i'm inavor for relief for our struggling businesses, our constituents, and our hardworking familie however, what we are considering here today is not relief. rather, we're garnishing the wages of future generations. while the lefts focused on charging members of congress thousands of dollars for their masks falling below their nose, mom and pop shops back home are having their local, state, and now federagornment stand in the way of them opening their

doors and getting this economy back up a running. . and what of the $1.3 trillion that this body passed and this administration has yet to spend? where is that money going? history shs us that the most successful actions by government have been bipartis. it is time to let everyone, including republicans, have a until we prioritize all -- all -- of our people instead ofust somestal elites, i will not and i cannot suppt the actions of this majority. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore:he gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from texas resees. the gentleman from new york is cognized mrmorelle: i want to first welcome thntlelady from florida to the house and i look forward to many opportunities to work together in a bipartisan fashion. i would note that one of the very first things we did i this

house was the bipartisan passage of public law 117-1, which was paving the way for t historic appointment of defense secretary lloyd austin. think we will find common purpose on so many things facing the american public and i hope we find commonality a purpose in this work that we'll do over the next several days to work on supporting in the most difficult of times for american famili. i would also, becausi've heard this now said so many times in the last few days, about $1 trilli that the biden administration has not spent, i would say firsof all if anyone in a period of two eks could spend a trillionollar, i would find that remarkable. the second is, this is in the pipeline. we don't wait for every dollar to be spent and then think about another debate for further support. there is nothi about this that iind extraordinary.

what i do find extraordinary i that money appropriated, earmarked, moving out the door in appropriate way that that would be a pnt of debate or argument. this is necessary. we've heard it from so many leading economists around this country. we have heard it from the american public. i think the case is clear and i look forward to further discussionn this. with that, madam speaker, i'd like to yield two minutes from the gentlelady who has joined us as a freshman member from the great state of new mexico, ms. legger fnandez. -- ms. leger fernandez. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. ledger fernandez: americans -- ms. ledger fernandez: americans cannot wait any longer. our job is to solve problems. we can't neglect our duties. this pandemic devastated evythi we love, everything each of us loves.

if we don't do this, mlions of americans, especially people of color in my state tribal communities, the 1/2 roe -- navajos, pueblos, apaches, and women, will suffer to -- suffer and die. new mexins are waitingor our help so they can put food on the ble, put a roof over their head, go to restaurants and have their kids in school when they feel safe. they are waiting for more covid vaccines. new mexico is one of the best states in getting the vaccine out but we don't have enough. this will help us get enough vaccines. they're waiting fo certain that this year will be better an the last. lives are on the line. and americans, all americans, voes are loud and clear. they need us to act a to act i'm listening to american voices from the rural areas, from suburban areasfrom

conservative areas. i represent an incredibly diverse disict and they are allsking us to act. let's listen. whether you're democrat or republican, let's listen. to their voices, to theipleas. let's take acti. let's sp the pain. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields bk. the gentleman from new york reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: i yield myself such time as i may consume. if we defeat the previous question, i will offer an amendment to the rule to immediately consider h.r. 682, the reopen schools act, to urage local educational agencies to resume in-person instruion at elementary and secondary schools. madam speaker, i ask unanimous consento insert the text of my ament into the record along with extraneous material immediatelprior to the vote o e previo qstion. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. burgess: here to explain the amendmen rresentative

michele steele of california, i yieldour minutes to or and representative steele. the speaker pro teore: the gentwoma is recognized for ur minut. mrs. steel: thank you, mam speaker. i rise in opposition to the previous question. if the previous question is defeated, republicans will ame this rule to immediately consider h.r. 682, the reopen schools act. th bill was introduced by congresswoman ashy hinson and it would cdition state covid relief grants for education on schools reoning sthat students can get back in e assroom safely. in december, congress sent states $54 billion for k-12 education. conditioningwoman hinson's bill would ensure this money is used to get students back in the classroom safely and soon.

in person learning can be done safely with the right precautionsnd safety measures. in orange county, cifornia, when i was chair of the board of supervisor we safely allowed hools to reopen in early september. children have to be able to go to school in person, safely, and the science shows that ihas not contributed to sigficant covid-19out breaks in our communities. congress should be clear that we expect schools to usehis funding to reopen while keepi students and teachers safe. the science says students should return to the classroom. the c.d.c. has conrmed that k-12 schools are not aigh

transmission environment. young kids havan extremely l infection rate, low transmission rate, and a low rate of serious illness from covid-19. unfortunaty, only one third of k-12 schools across the country currently have an in-person learning option available for students. as a result, kids mental health is hurting. students should be socializing with their peers and in a classroom eironment, child depression, aiety and other mental health issues are rising. both parents and children across this nation continue to ffer because of challenges from this long-term lockdown. while virtual learning can play an imptant role in offerg parents and students additional education options, it shou not

be forced on falies by schools unable to offer it effectively. doing the right thing for students should not be a partisan issue. this is a disservice to sdents and families across the count for suffering because of this pan -- who are suffering because of this pandemic lockdown. congress should be working in a bipartisan way to provide bipaan help. i urge a no vote and yield back. ank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. morelle: to the new member, i also welcome her to the chambers and look forward to working with her on impornt issues. this shouldn't need to be said but i' say it, this package

habillions of dollars that hools.upport education in pass this resolution, there's no need to substitute it. i would look just to my home state of new york which has lost $15 billion in revenue as a result of this pandemic. the state of new york, i know a little bit abouthis, i served in that state legislature, provides the highest level of support per capita of anstat in the union. not helping our states provide lost revenue and pport damages irrep rahly the children in our k-12 across this country. is pass this resolution. with tha i yield one mute to mr. bera. mr. bera: this virus doesn't know whether you're democrat or

republican, this virus doesn't know the color of your skin, the religion that you worship toward. i commend the biden for wanting to go big and wanting to go fast. we want to get ahead, defeat the virus but we have to vaccinate the populations that are out there, to address the food insecurity we see across this country. i'm particularly pleased that this package will have funding in it as we put it together to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, morely in hard to hit communities of color, black and brown communities. we have got to get into those communities, work with community health centers, work with folks in those communities to make sure they get vaccinated. i am pleased that we've been working with the biden administration to get this done. i fully support going big and fully support this budget resolution. with that, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from new york reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized.

mr. burgess: thank you. at this time i'm pleased to recognize the gentleman from north carolina, representative biden, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. biden: thank you, madam speaker. i thank the gentleman from texas. life-saving covid vaccines are going to waste, seniors and frontline workers in my state, the state of north carolina, have had their vaccine appointments, which they depended on, these appointments were forcibly canceled. we have got to do better. so i've got two amendments to this budget resolution that would address these issues but the majority has blocked a vote. instead, we're passing a budget resolution to set up a trillion, with a t, a trillion dollar spending bill. my first amendment, the vaccinate more americans act would prevent leftover covid vaccines from being wasted by allowing vaccine providers to administer shots to the next

allocation group automatically my second amendment addresses an issue that affects over 10,000 north carolinians who had their vaccine appointments forcibly canceled. this is unacceptable. something has to be done about it. my amendment says that any state health department that receives vaccines must distribute them in an equitable way without forcibly canceling appointments. we should be addressing these issues as a body instead of stuffing trillion dollar spending bill into a rules package. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. morelle: thank you, madam speaker. it gives me great pleasure to introduce, to yield one minute to the gentlewoman from california, the speaker of the house, ms. pelosi. the speaker pro tempore: the speaker of the house from california is recognized for one minute. the speaker: i thank mr. morelli of new york, a distinguished member of the rules committee

among other committees of the house for bringing this important rule to the floor. madam speaker, we just left a meeting with president biden, where we had a discussion about how this legislation meets the needs of the american people. as our colleagues may be aware, early this morning, before 6:00 a.m., the senate passed a budget bill which is identical in instruction to the bill that we sent there. we had the debate on that bill on wednesday. it passed with a strong vote in the house. and then went to the senate. it will -- it comes back to us now and we're addressing it. so that's what brings us to the floor now. what brings us to the floor now is the opportunity to crush the virus. to put vaccines in the arms of the american people. money in the pockets of the american people. children safely in schools. people back in their jobs.

we can do that following the science and good governance to make it happen. we must do that in a way that addresses the disparities. it's almost sinful to see how the disparity in access to some of the vaccines and everything ha ha -- everything that happened up until no, i. as i mentioned the other day in the debate on the budget bill, the g.a.o. has put out a report that at least 90% of their recommendations to the trump administration on how to address the covid crisis were ignored. 27 out of 31 were ignored. this legislation, again, based on science and knowledge and respect for all of the people in our society and in our country

addresses many of those concerns in a more current way as now we have more access to vaccines and people more willing to participate because they have hope. and that's what this legislation does. it gives us hope. it is a reconciliation bill, which means we can pass it with just 51 votes in the senate. it is my hope we don't have to use it as a reconciliation bill, that we will be able to have bipartisanship, facing the facts of what is needed to meet the needs of the american people, both in this body and in the united states senate. but in order to have a guarantee that the people's needs will be met, we're passing this legislation today. so i hope we will have a very strong vote in favor of crushing the virus, money in the pockets, people back to work, and children, children, children safely in school.

with that, madam speaker, i yield back and thank the gentleman, again, for his leadership. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california yields back. the gentleman from new york reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. at this time i'm pleased to recognize the lead republican on our house budget committee, mr. smith of missouri, for four minutes, please. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from missouri is recognized for four minutes. mr. smith: thank you, madam speaker. thank you to the gentleman from texas. you know in missouri we have this phrase that said, you're all hat and no cattle. that's what this legislation is. it's all hat and no cattle. we just had the speaker speak right before me that said this -- this piece of legislation is all about getting vaccines and shots in people's arms. let me tell you, less than 10% of the money that is appropriated in this piece of legislation actually goes to vaccinations and shots. it's 9%. so that's all hat and no cattle,

what we say in missouri. and so if you're actually wanting to make sure that americans have shots and vaccinations, do your job, not the lip service. if we really want to help the american people, we should focus -- focus on lifting the burden of government interference on the lives and off of the backs of working class americans. at a time of great division in this country, we ought to be conscious of the fact that how we govern in this body can serve to unite us or it can divide us further. the only thing that's been bipartisan this week is bipartisan opposition to the bill. not one republican voted for it, but democrats voted against it. one piece of this debate that is increasingly obvious and concerning to me is how our democrat colleagues are pushing legislation that will rescue or reward their political allies in

blue state capitols across this country. how else does one explain the billions in bailouts they have proposed for state governments that have locked down their local economies? they have told main street to board up and left families struggling even more to make ends meet. we should be looking to help the working class families by reopening schools, ending small business lockdowns, and allowing americans to get back to work. hardworking american families would also appreciate a white house that focuses more on job creation and economic opportunity instead of continuously issuing executive orders, firing american workers, and increasing the cost of living in this country. one truly disturbing part of the resolution before us today is

that this resolution repeals the supermajority waiver requirement for unfunded mandates, making it easier for the senate to impose mandates on our states and local communities on a partisan basis now with only a simple majority waiver required. this paves the way for democrats to enact sweeping policies that will make the cost of living more expensive, and it will give washington bureaucrats power over the american people and harm the working class. under this resolution, democrats, with a mere 51 votes, could force states to provide health care to illegal immigrants under medicaid. they could also take away states' ability to ensure federal carbon mandates don't kill jobs and devastate local economies. ironically, the same folks who want to bail out state governments today to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars

will be able, under the new rules, to stick states with costly, massive unfunded mandates for the long term. it makes zero sense. house democrats are driving full speed ahead toward radical policies that will kill jobs, hurt the working class, and it is past time to put toll particulars -- politics aside and i stand steady to work with all my colleagues on policies that will support the american working class. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. morelle: thank you, madam speaker. i would note -- i'm sure the gentleman knows this -- he mentioned appropriations in this bill. and obviously there are no appropriations bills. this sets up a reconciliation process. we would certainly welcome his input and welcome the support and partnership of members on his side of the aisle. but i do want to make clear, this is a process resolution.

begins a process. we'll come back and have standing committees' conversations. we're prepared to close if mr. burgess is. i'd reserve. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. burgess: thank you, madam speaker. let me yield myself the balance of our time. to recover from the pandemic, really, it's not a good idea to push through policies that don't address the immediate needs of the american people. the budget reconciliation resolution provided for in this rule will drastically increase the deficit, seek to implement nonessential partisan policies without first conducting hearings and oversight to ensure that current funding is spent effectively and efficiently. it is disappointing. after calling for unity, just a little over two weeks ago, in front of this capitol building

by the president, that this congress, the first move is to employ this partisan process. it's now up to the committees crafting the reconciliation legislation to work in a bipartisan manner. i sincerely hope that they do. but it has been disappointing so far. and if the past is prelude, i don't think this will be ultimately a bipartisan process. i do want to remind members this will be a vote on the rule, but you will not get a vote on the resolution. bear in mind, the vote on the rule expands the deficit by $1.9 trillion to $2.9 trillion. with that i urge a no vote on the previous question, a no vote on the rule, and i yield back the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. morelle: thank you, madam speaker. i know the gentleman from texas from time to time disagree on questions before the house, i always find him very thoughtful, a committed american, and i'm pleased to serve with him on the rules committee and pleased that we had this conversation this morning. madam speaker, my friends, budgets are not exclusively about numbers nor process. they are most importantly a statement of our priorities and our values. our priorities are clear. stop this virus, help our families. our values are to respond to the critical needs of the american public. that is what we do today. we will continue to work through this over the next several weeks. and i very much appreciate all my colleagues for their words in support of the rule before us today. i urge a yes vote on the rule and yes voef on the previous question. -- vote on the previous question. i yield back and i move the question on the -- and i move the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the question is on ordering the

previous question on the resolution. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. mr. burgess: oh, madam speaker, on that i need to request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to section 3 of house resolution 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.] the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from connecticut rise? mr. courtney: thank you, madam

speaker. madam speaker, as the member designated by mr. john larson of connecticut, pursuant to h.res. 8, i inform the house that mr. larson will vote yes on ordering the previous question. madam speaker, as the member designated by mr. langevin of rhode island, pursuant to h.res. 8, i inform the house that mr. langevin will vote yes on ordering the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina rise? ms. adams: madam speaker, as the member designated by ms. wilson of florida, pursuant to h.res. 8, i inform the house that ms. wilson will vote yes on the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from new york rise? >> as the member designated by chairwoman zoe lofgren, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that chairwoman lofgren will vote yea on the previous question. mr. jeffries: as the member designated by chairwoman care lin maloney, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that chairwoman maloney will vote yea on the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from hawaii rise? >> as the member designated by mr. ke he will lee of haye -- ka haley of hawaii -- kehele of hawaii, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. kehele will vote yes on the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia rise? >> madam speaker, as the member designated by ms. titus of nevada, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that ms. titus will vote yes on ordering the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from massachusetts rise? >> as the member designated by mr. bowman, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. bowman will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr. cooper, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. cooper will vote yes on ordering the previous question. ms. clark: as the member designated by ms. frankel,

pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that ms. frankel will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by ms. jayapal, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that ms. jayapal will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr. lynch, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. lynch will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by ms. meng, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that ms. meng will vote yes on ordering the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? >> as the member designated by mr. ruiz, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. ruiz will vote yes on ordering the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california rise? >> madam speaker, as the member designated by mr. desaulnier, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. desaulnier will vote yes on ordering the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from illinois rise? >> as the member designated by mr. rush, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. rush will vote yes on ordering the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from massachusetts rise? >> as the member designated by mrs. trahan of massachusetts, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mrs. trahan will vote yes on ordering the previous question.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> madam speaker, as the member designated by mr. fallin of the great state of texas, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. fallin will vote no on ordering the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland rise? >> madam speaker, as the member designated by mr. krishnamoorthi of illinois, pursuant to house

resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. krishnamoorthi will vote yes on ordering the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia rise? >> madam speaker, as the member designated by mr. kind, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. kind will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr. cohen, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. cohen with will vote yes on ordering the previous question.

as the member designated by mr. doggett, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. doggett will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr. moulton, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. moulton will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr. lieu, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. lieu will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr. lowenthal, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that mr. lowenthal will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by ms. barragan, pursuant to house resolution 8, i inform the house that ms. barragan will vote yes on ordering the previous question. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from north carolina rise? mr. butterfield: as the member designated by mr. price of north carolina, pursuant to h.res. 8, i inform the house that mr. price will vote yes, he will vote yes on ordering the previous question. as the member designated by mr.