COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 20, 2005 

Support More JOBS for Workers Displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Vote YES Today on the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act (H.R. 3761) 

Dear Colleague:

Today, the House will take an important step forward in providing more flexibility and relief for Gulf Coast workers displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

Shortly after the hurricane struck, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded more than $191 million in National Emergency Grants (NEGs) to help provide more than 40,000 temporary jobs to workers driven away from their homes and their jobs as a result of the tragedy.  To enhance the benefits of the NEG program, the House today will vote on the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act (H.R. 3761).  Simply put, the bill will make more jobs and training available to more displaced workers more quickly.

The Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act will:

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

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

• Expand NEG eligibility to displaced individuals who currently are unemploye, 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.

Among the harshest realities of Hurricane Katrina is that tens of thousands of workers have been displaced not just from their homes, but their jobs as well.  The Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act would provide more jobs and critical assistance to the workers, families, and communities when they are needed most.  We urge you to vote YES on H.R. 3761.

Sincerely,