John,

Two critical programs that assist workers who have lost their jobs are about to expire and we need Congress to act.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) are critically needed programs for workers, which provide job training for Americans who lose work to foreign competition, imports, and bad trade agreements, and help reduce health care costs. If they are not renewed and strengthened, American workers will lose out on these critical training and health care benefits.

This is particularly critical to low-income workers and communities of color who may not have the resources to be trained in a new industry. Investing in U.S. workers is absolutely critical to maintaining American competitiveness.

Write to your members of Congress right now and urge them to include the TAA and HCTC renewal in the America COMPETES Act being finalized in Congress now, and to include labor rights protections for workers.

Additionally, Congress must make the following reforms to these critical programs:

• Long-term renewal for all countries and all workers impacted by trade―U.S. workers should get job training if corporations ship their jobs to China, Vietnam, France, or any country, no matter their occupation.
• Establish a child care allowance in TAA―Working parents who want to pursue further education and training in order to get higher paying jobs need help with child care. A recent study highlights that child care allows parents to participate in these opportunities.
• Streamline the Department of Labor’s process for certifying worker applications―Layoffs are difficult for families―getting job training should not be. Apprenticeships would also qualify for training.

Write to your members of Congress today and urge them to pass the America COMPETES Act with a renewal of the TAA and HCTC training programs!

Thank you for fighting for workers’ rights,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs