Washington, D.C. - Wasting no time upon being sworn-in for the 109th Congress, U.S. Representative Jon Porter (R-NV) today introduced The Worker Reemployment Account Act of 2005 (H.R. 26) that creates up to $3,000 personal re-employment accounts to help Americans who are struggling to return to work.
 
“This legislation is about helping Americans find careers,” said U.S. Representative Jon Porter (R-NV).  “As the economy continues to add thousands of new jobs and as the unemployment rates continue to decline, this legislation will provide critically needed flexibility to job-seekers so that they can capitalize on the momentum of the strong job market we enjoy today,” he said.  “I was proud to introduce this legislation in the 108th Congress, and while it passed in the House of Representatives, no action was taken in the United States Senate.  It is my hope that this good work will continue in the 109th Congress.”
 
“Representative Porter has devoted significant time and attention to the needs of unemployed Americans, particularly in the state of Nevada,” said Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH).  “The Porter bill provides a unique approach to helping displaced workers return to good jobs.  Whether it is job training, transportation services, housing assistance, or child care, this important bill gives the unemployed new resources and additional flexibility to get back on their feet.”
 
Back to Work accounts offer a new, innovative approach designed to provide the unemployed with additional flexibility, greater choice, and more control over their employment search. As an example, unemployed workers could use the accounts for training, child care, transportation, or other expenses to help in finding a new job. 
 
Through competitive grants, the local One-Stop Career Center, where the unemployed already seek assistance in obtaining employment, would offer this important new benefit to unemployed workers.
 
The U.S. Department of Labor, over the past several months, has set up a demonstration project that has allowed seven states to establish Worker Reemployment Accounts.  Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Texas and West Virginia applied for these waivers on a voluntary basis and have all demonstrated plans for unique ways of providing these accounts to the members of their communities.

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