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OPA News Release: [04/12/2005]
Contact Name:
David James
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
Release Number: 05-627-NAT
U.S. Labor Secretary Backs Senate’s Job Creation and Retention Agenda of the 109th Congress
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao joined Senator
Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) today at a Capitol
Hill news conference to unveil the Senate Republican Conference's Job
Creation and Retention Agenda of the 109th Congress. The agenda, which includes
increased workplace flexibility, advocates improving the Workforce Investment
Act (WIA) to give workers the necessary training for better jobs.
“The Job Creation and Retention agenda unveiled today addresses excessive
regulation, over-taxation and abusive litigation that is stifling innovation
and job growth,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “This agenda
also includes reforming and reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act. The
Administration's “WIA Plus“ proposal will reform the workforce investment
system so it will be of even greater value to helping Americans get the training
they need to access higher-skilled, better paying jobs in high growth industries.”
Secretary Chao noted that the U.S. has experienced 22 straight months of
job growth and more Americans are working than ever before. Since June 2003,
3.1 million jobs have been created. Unemployment has dropped to 5.3%,
which is below the average of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. President
Bush and Secretary Chao are committed to making sure every American who wants
a job has a job.
At the news conference, Secretary Chao added that she looks forward to working
with the Senate Conference on the forward-looking agenda to help American
workers.
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