Last week, Trump, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and the Republican Rip-Off closed the Job Corps program in their efforts to give a tax break to the richest Americans and wealthiest corporations.

This is a harmful decision that will have devastating consequences for Northwest Washington. During its 40-year history, Cascade Job Corps has:

• Helped more than 10,000 low-income young people complete college credits and professional certifications.
• Currently, the program serves 250 young people and employs 119 staff members.
• Supports administrative capacity and career training services at the Everett WorkSource Center.

When the Trump administration officially shuts down Cascade Job Corps at the end of the month, many of those 250 young people will lose access to housing and health care, and all of them will lose access to the education they were pursuing. All staff members will lose their jobs as well.

Over a year ago, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer was my colleague in the House of Representatives. Last year, she signed onto a letter supporting funding for the Job Corps program, but now, as the Secretary of Labor, she is shutting down the program.

The Republican Rip-Off sows chaos, harms hardworking Americans, and disregards proven records of success like the Cascade Job Corps program. These program cuts are not for efficiency; they are for funding a massive tax break to the richest Americans and wealthiest corporations.

More soon,

Rick