FOCUS OF THE HEARING:
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program is designed to help workers displaced by trade to adjust and better compete in the global economy. The TAA program will expire on September 30, 2007, unless legislative action is taken to re-authorize the program.
The hearing will focus on the operational effectiveness of the current TAA program for workers, including changes made to the program in 2002. The hearing will also address ideas for further reforms to the program, including proposals to expand TAA coverage to workers excluded from the program, such as some service sector workers, improving access to training, reducing the costs and complexity of the health coverage tax credit, and improving participation in the Alternative TAA “Wage Insurance” program for older workers.