Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds Senate Vote on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Washington, D.C. – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after today’s Senate passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:

“Today’s Senate vote sends a strong message that members of both parties agree that ensuring economic opportunities for millions of Americans should be a national priority.

In order to grow our economy and reduce disparities in income and opportunity, it is imperative for all Americans to have access to the education and training needed to earn a living wage.  A more effective workforce education and training system is most urgently needed for disconnected youth and communities of color, who have stubbornly high unemployment rates, and deserve pathways out of poverty and into the middle class. 

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act has safeguards to ensure that programs get results while keeping strong protections for those who need them, including women, youth, people with disabilities, displaced workers, and English language learners.

It’s been 15 years since we’ve last reauthorized these programs and we applaud the bipartisan leadership of both houses in agreeing to a bill that helps to grow our economy, prepare more skilled workers, and provide pathways to the American dream for all persons in the United States.”

Nancy Zirkin is the executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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