Boustany, Workforce Republicans Introduce Legislation to Provide More Flexibility for

Displaced Gulf Coast Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) today introduced the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act (H.R. 3761), legislation to provide more flexibility for displaced Gulf Coast workers who are seeking employment and training through the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Emergency Grant (NEG) program.  The NEG program provides temporary disaster relief employment and training of up to six months to individuals who participate in projects that provide assistance for victims of that particular disaster.  The Labor Department recently awarded $191.1 million in NEGs to help provide more than 40,000 temporary jobs in the impacted region.

“This legislation helps accomplish one important goal in the recovery process: providing more jobs to more displaced workers more quickly,” said Boustany, a member of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce.  “The Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act removes a number of obstacles to ensure Gulf Coast workers and their families can gain immediate employment assistance to help them get back on their feet.”

As part of the broad House response to Hurricane Katrina, the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act will:

• Make NEG funds available to displaced workers for employment projects outside the designated Hurricane Katrina disaster area; 

• Permit previously-awarded NEG funds to be directed to workers impacted by Hurricane Katrina;

• Allow displaced workers to obtain public sector jobs not directly related to the disaster;

• Expand NEG eligibility to displaced individuals who currently are unemployed, as well as those with no prior work history;

• Empower the Secretary of Labor to extend the duration of the NEG projects from six months to 12 months, if necessary; and

• Authorize NEG payments to Gulf Coast residents not eligible for unemployment compensation or whose unemployment compensation has expired and who are participating in reemployment activities.

“As the recovery effort in our region continues, this legislation will play an important role in providing temporary employment for many of my constituents who have had their livelihoods severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina,” said Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA), also a member of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce.

“We need to do everything we can to eliminate bureaucratic red tape so Gulf Coast families can focus on getting their lives back together rather than worrying about overly-burdensome government requirements,” noted Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), Chairman of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce.  “I commend Representative Boustany for his work on behalf of his constituents and introducing this important bill.”

“This measure represents another step in the long process that the House is undertaking to address the needs of all those impacted by the tragedy,” stated Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee.  “Employment and training are among the most essential needs of Gulf Coast residents at this time, and this bill responds to the needs of those displaced workers who need our help.”

For additional information on administrative and legislative actions taken to assist students, schools, workers, families, and communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina, visit the “Hurricane Katrina Rebuilding & Recovery” website at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/hurricane/katrina.htm.

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