Sen. Salazar Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Introduce Measure to
Aid U.S. Workers Impacted by Outsourcing
WASHINGTON-
Today, in an effort to soften the impact of outsourcing and offshoring
on workers in the United States as a result of globalization, United
States Senator Ken Salazar joined a bipartisan group of Senators, including
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,
to introduce the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of
2007.
The bill would reauthorize
all existing Trade Adjustment Assistance programs through 2012. For
the first time, the bill would extend aid to service workers who lose
their jobs as a result of offshoring to countries like China and India.
It would also provide critical assistance to rural and distressed communities,
and make training, healthcare and wage insurance more accessible and
flexible.
“While globalization
is inevitable, leaving American workers and businesses behind is not
an option,” said Senator Salazar. “Coloradans have felt the impact of
globalization first-hand. But as we work to secure the economic benefits
of free trade, we must also recognize that American jobs and workers
come first. This bill will go a long way toward ensuring that U.S. workers
who are negatively impacted by the global economy receive the assistance
and training they need to remain competitive.”
Key pieces of the bill include
a $300 million authorization for trade adjustment assistance to communities
adversely impacted by trade. Both economic development and strategic
planning grants are made available, with preference given to rural communities.
In addition to extending coverage to the service sector, which comprises
27% of Colorado's economy, the bill also strengthens the existing safety
net for dislocated workers by increasing the Health Care Tax Credit
program for those who have lost their employer-sponsored coverage.
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