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WASHINGTON – Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives today in passing the Trade & Globalization Act of 2007, which renews and expands assistance and benefits to U.S. workers who lose their jobs because of international trade. The bill reauthorizes the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which provides a variety of benefits and services to help unemployed workers prepare for obtaining a new job.
The TAA program is especially important in Michigan right now. “Given our state’s current economic struggles, this program is extremely important for so many workers who unexpectedly lose their job because of company downsizing due to competition from foreign imports,” said Congressman Ehlers. “While the legislation that passed in the House today is not perfect, it will provide people with the tools they need to get back on their feet.”
The TAA program provides income support, training, job search and relocation allowances and other benefits to eligible workers. To qualify, workers must show that their unemployment or reduction in wages is a result of declines in sales or production at the facility they worked at due to increased imports. The program is administered in Michigan by the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
Today’s vote is part of a larger effort by Congressman Ehlers to support workers in Michigan’s difficult economy. Ehlers was the leading supporter of the America COMPETES Act (H.R. 2272), which was signed into law this year. That law will ensure America’s competitiveness for generations to come by bolstering science, technology, engineering and math education programs. Congressman Ehlers fought to include provisions in that bill to authorize funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which provides federal grants for small- and mid-sized manufacturers to improve the manufacturing process. This program helps manufacturers keep operations in West Michigan.
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