On May 8, the House approved, 220-204, reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (H.R. 1261). Authored by Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), the WIA would provide $6.6 billion in job training programs and services to over 19 million people through One-Stop Career Centers.
“With hundreds of thousands of Americans searching for new jobs, we must take action to strengthen job-training opportunities for American workers,” said Rep. McKeon. “This bill aims to empower individuals in improving their careers by strengthening the infrastructure of the one-stop delivery system, improving accountability, enhancing the role of employers, and increasing state and local flexibility.”
The most contentious debate centered around language governing faith-based organizations. Current law prevents religious groups that receive federal job training funds from discriminating against potential hires based on religion. However, that provision was struck from H.R. 1261.
“All non-profits that have a mission are entitled to discriminate based on that mission. That is to say, if a particular group that supports abortion and is involved in that activity wants to, it can choose not to hire someone who is rabidly pro-life,” said Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ). “But we do say under the current version of this law, if you are a faith-based organization and you want to provide job training services, then you must hire all-comers, people who even disagree with your fundamental beliefs. The reality is this is about discrimination, but it is about the discrimination that exists in current law.”
A number of Democrats accused Republicans of trying to reverse civil rights protections. “This is the first time we will be removing from the statute books an existing anti-discrimination provision, one that says you cannot take federal money and then discriminate against some of the people who paid the taxes,” stated Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). “If you are a particular organization, you can say, ‘I do not care if you are Jewish and pay taxes or Catholic and pay taxes. I do not care if you are a Protestant and pay taxes, if you believe in abortion. I do not care if you are a Methodist and pay taxes, if you agree on evolution. We will exclude you.’”
On a 221-196 vote, the House adopted a rule barring Democratic amendments to the religious provisions of the bill.
Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) offered an amendment that would make single parents, displaced homemakers, and pregnant single women eligible for job training services.
“It is imperative that displaced homemakers and other women in need are prepared for employment in nontraditional careers and that once they are employed they will be able to achieve a level of self-sufficiency,” said Rep. Millender-McDonald. “Currently, there are 7 million displaced homemakers and 10 million single mothers living in the United States. And given the economic decline, I want to be certain these individuals’ needs continue to be met as they will be entering the workforce.” The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
