House Backs Boustany Bill to Give Displaced Gulf Coast Workers More Flexibility in Finding Jobs, Training

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation to assist displaced Gulf Coast workers who are seeking employment and training through the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Emergency Grant (NEG) program.  The House passed the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act (H.R. 3761) unanimously, by a vote of 400-0. 

The bill, authored by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA), adds significant flexibility to the NEG program, which provides temporary disaster relief employment and training to individuals who participate in projects that provide assistance for victims of that particular disaster.  In the days soon after Hurricane Katrina, the Labor Department awarded more than $191 million in NEGs to help provide more than 40,000 temporary jobs in the Gulf Coast region.

“Tens of thousands of residents in my region have been displaced not just from their homes, but their jobs as well,” said Boustany.  “The Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act strengthens the Department of Labor’s National Emergency Grant program so displaced workers can get the jobs, training, and assistance when they need them most.”

The Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act is a key component of the House’s broad response to Hurricane Katrina.  Specifically, H.R. 3761 will make NEG funds available to displaced workers for employment projects outside the designated Hurricane Katrina disaster area, while allowing displaced workers to obtain public sector jobs not directly related to the disaster. 

It also takes the key step of expanding NEG eligibility to displaced individuals who currently are unemployed, as well as those with no prior work history and authorizes NEG payments to Gulf Coast residents not eligible for unemployment compensation or whose unemployment compensation has expired and who are participating in re-employment activities.  Finally, the bill empowers the Secretary of Labor to extend the duration of the NEG projects from their current six months to 12 months, if necessary.

“So many of my constituents have endured unthinkable changes to their lives in the wake of Hurricane Katrina,” said Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA).  “This legislation is meant to provide tens of thousands of Gulf Coast workers with the peace of mind that more jobs and training will be available to them during this difficult time.”

“This measure accomplishes a very basic goal: it makes more jobs and training available to more displaced workers more quickly,” noted Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.  “It is yet another example of our work to eliminate bureaucratic red tape so workers and their families in impacted areas may access immediate assistance.”

“The House has taken another important step forward in providing more flexibility and relief for workers displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” stated Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee.  “Jobs and job training are imperative for displaced Gulf Coast residents at this time, and our vote today helps to fulfill these needs.”

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