U.S. Chamber Supports Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act

March 10, 2004

Honorable Tom Daschle
United States Senate
S-221, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Minority Leader Daschle:

Last year, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors approved a policy statement recommended by its Education, Employment, and Training Committee (EETC) on the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

There is a growing concern among businesses about the increasing skills gap and the need to provide training for the existing workforce using resources already available in their communities. Businesses know that a skilled workforce is critical to their competitiveness and understand the link between workforce development and economic development.

The members of the EETC applaud your efforts to strengthen and streamline our nation's workforce development system by passage of bills in both the House and the Senate. The EETC wants to ensure that the momentum continues and results in legislation reauthorizing WIA. Legislation must be passed this year so that workers are able to obtain the skills necessary to obtain jobs and employers can hire and retain the qualified workers they need to remain competitive.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten
Executive Vice President, Government Affairs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce