WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) announced today a hearing on “Jobs and Opportunity: Legislative Options to Address the Jobs Gap.” The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in 1100 Longworth House Office Building at 10:00 AM. The Committee has jurisdiction over the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which requires legislative action by the end of September, and will consider proposals to strengthen the program to help more low-income Americans get off the sidelines and into the workforce. This is the fourth in a series of hearings that has focused on the jobs gap and the need for workers as a result of strong economic growth created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Upon announcing the hearing, Chairman Smith said:

“Our hearings have helped us to understand the challenges and realities of the jobs gap – connecting individuals on the sidelines with economic opportunity. We are looking at solutions to provide real help to struggling families. We need a system which meets potential workers where they are, prepares them for success in today’s workforce, and supports them on the way to achieving the American dream.”

BACKGROUND:

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, P.L. 115-97, is putting more money into the pockets of American families and enabling businesses to create jobs and expand. The only thing that is missing to take advantage of one of the most competitive tax codes on the planet is workers. The Jobs and Opportunity hearings series focuses on the Jobs Gap, the difference between employers’ increasing demand for workers in a strong economy and the millions of individuals on the sidelines of the workforce. By closing the jobs gap, more Americans will be able to share in the success of an economy that is finally starting to fire on all cylinders.

Click here to learn more about the first hearing in this series, “Local Perspectives on the Jobs Gap.”
Click here to learn more about the second hearing in this series, “Federal Perspectives on the Jobs Gap.”
Click here to learn more about the third hearing in this series, “Employer Perspectives on the Jobs Gap.”