Sending Office: Honorable Anthony Gonzalez
Sent By:
Elizabeth.Barczak@mail.house.gov
Co-Sponsor H.R. 3497, The JOBS Act
Cosponsors (38): Richmond*, Gonzalez (OH)*, Levin (MI)*, Herrera-Beutler*, Horsford*, Katko*,
Pappas, Joyce (OH), Balderson, Turner, Riggleman,
Johnson (OH), McMorris Rodgers, Spanberger, Diaz-Balart, Cole, Bost, Stevens, Langevin,
Fitzpatrick, Allred, Calvert, Budd, Thompson (CA), DeFazio, Gonzalez (TX), Thompson (MS),
Cook, Wright, Stivers, Harder, Brindisi, Hill (CA), Latta, Craig, Axne, McAdams,
Upton
Groups Supporting: the National Skills Coalition, Associated General Contractors, Aerospace Industries Association, American Supply Association, Association of Community Colleges and Trustees, National Roofing Contractors Association, Independent
Electrical Contractors, the American Association of Community Colleges, Associated Builders and Contractors, IBM, Opportunity America, Jobs for the Future,
the Association for Career and Technical Education, Advance CTE, Associated Equipment Distributors, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals, Automotive Service Excellence Education
Foundation, National Association of Homebuilders, National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, the Center for Law and Social Policy
Dear Colleague,
Please join us in supporting bipartisan legislation that invests in our workforce by co-sponsoring H.R. 3497, the Jumpstart Our Businesses By Supporting Students (JOBS) Act.
Our country currently has a number of resources to help Americans achieve a traditional degree, but many of these funding sources do not apply to high-quality, short-term training programs. Pell Grants are currently only available to individuals who enroll
in a program of study that requires 600 clock hours of instruction over 15 weeks. As a result, students who wish to pursue further education other than a traditional degree face additional obstacles. Combined with an economy where there are more job openings
than there are Americans looking for work, there is a clear need to better align our federal investments with the needs of our economy.
The JOBS Act addresses this problem by extending Pell Grant eligibility to qualified programs that are between 150 and 600 clock hours and at least eight weeks in length. This additional flexibility would allow students applying for CTE and short-term education
programs to qualify for Pell Grants, and would provide skills training opportunities for low-income individuals. According to a survey conducted by the National Skills Coalition,
86% of voters support expanding Pell Grants to short-term programs.
Introduced in the Senate by Senators Portman (R-OH) and Kaine (D-VA), the JOBS Act has strong support from the business community and advocates in favor of increased investment in skills training. With a job market that is expanding and diversifying, Congress
can help bridge the growing skills gap by broadening Pell Grant eligibility and passing the JOBS Act. If you are interested in co-sponsoring or have any questions, please contact
Elizabeth.Barczak@mail.house.gov with Rep. Gonzalez or
Chyna.Melton@mail.house.gov with Rep. Richmond.
Sincerely,
CEDRIC RICHMOND ANTHONY GONZALEZ ANDY LEVIN
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress
JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER STEVEN HORSFORD JOHN KATKO
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress
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