Proposed Legislation
Issued on March 16, 2017
Summary
Trump recent budget proposal will call for a 21% decrease in the Department of Labor budget. This would result in a 2.5 billion dollar cut in funding for the agency in the fiscal year of 2018. The proposal would eliminate funding for Senior Community Service Employment Program which aided low-income workers above the age of 55 by offering them jobs. The Trump administration claimed this was ineffective and only one in three participants finished. In addition, the administration would shrink Job Corps, a program that trained disadvantaged youth. Furthermore, the proposal would shift the burden of federal funding for training and employment to the states. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Trump’s proposal will harm American workers in a multitude of ways. Senator Murray called the proposal “yet another clear example of President Trump breaking his campaign promise to stand with workers.” The Senior Community Service Employment Program ensures seniors with permanent jobs but Trump’s budget calls for an end to this program. In addition, Trump plans to decrease funding for Job Corps, a program that trains disadvantaged youth for the workplace. Representative Cicilline claimed the proposal will make it “even harder for working families to get ahead and for older Americans to make ends meet.” AFL – CIO President Richard Trumka concurred stating, “Working people in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin didn’t vote for a budget that slashes workforce training.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- AFL-CIO – The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is a national trade union center and the largest federation of unions in the United States.
- US Senate – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- US House of Representatives – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- UNI Global Union – This is a global union federation for skills and services, gathering national and regional trade unions.
This brief was compiled by Vaibhav Kumar. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact vaibhav@usresistnews.org.
