Statement by Senator Patty Murray on GAO Study of Administration Delays on Worker Training Grants

Statement by Senator Patty Murray on GAO Study of Administration Delays on Worker Training Grants
Murray said:
"From coast to coast, America's workers have been hit hard by the recession that began in March, 2001. Yet this GAO study finds the Bush Administration derelict in its duty to help unemployed Americans retrain for new jobs.

The Administration has shown a troubling disregard for the workers who have been hardest hit by the recent recession. Seventy percent of states reported that the Administration's delinquency is a "very major problem" and have been forced to delay or deny services for dislocated workers.

Not only is the Administration's delinquency hurting workers, but it is hurting employers and the economy as well. Employers need to find skilled workers to fill the jobs that are available. But by delaying worker training grants, this Administration is creating a further drag on our economy.

Despite its problems with worker retraining, this Administration seems unwilling to provide additional unemployment assistance to help workers pay their mortgages and put food on the table for their families while they wait for a retraining grant.

Any doubt that the Administration is not paying attention to the needs of average Americans has been erased by this independent study."