Congresswoman Linda Sanchez Introduces Bill to Support Women's Employment and Training Programs!
On Thursday, April 10th, Representative Linda Sanchez introduced the Pathways Advancing Career Training Act (H.R.5774). Known as the PACT Act, the bill will help meet the diverse workforce needs of the 21st century economy by supporting employment and training programs that target unemployed and underemployed women. Eleven other Members of Congress joined Rep. Sanchez as original co-sponsors of the bill. Click to see if your Representative has signed on.
The PACT Act would authorize a total of $95 million annually to support:
- Programs that prepare women for employment in high-wage, high-skill fields where they are often underrepresented.
- Programs that address barriers to employment for single parents and for displaced homemakers.
- A multi-site evaluation to demonstrate the success of these programs.
- National technical assistance to these programs.
Under the legislation, funds would be distributed by States to local programs--including programs at community colleges, community-based organizations, One-Stop Centers, and other eligible entities--via a competitive grant process.
Similar legislation was introduced by Rep. Melissa Hart (R-PA) and Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA) in 2004 and in 2005. In 2006, however, Rep. Hart was defeated in her bid for reelection. Then, sadly, Rep. Millender-McDonald passed away in April 2007. Fortunately, Rep. Sanchez, a long-time advocate for women and families, has stepped forward to champion this important legislation.
Stay tuned for more information from Women Work! on how to get involved in helping to pass the PACT Act into law.
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