Van Hollen, Wyden, Baldwin Applaud Inclusion of Subsidized Jobs Program in the American Jobs Plan

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) released the following statement applauding the Biden Administration’s inclusion of a subsidized jobs program to help tackle long-term unemployment within the American Jobs Plan:

“Millions of Americans are unemployed and have been stranded without a job for months. We must take action to prevent this long-term unemployment crisis – which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic – from inflicting lasting damage on workers, local communities, and the overall economy. President Biden’s inclusion of a subsidized jobs program is just what we need to help American job-seekers get back to work. These programs are proven to help connect workers with job opportunities, while boosting our economy and bolstering our communities. We’re glad to see President Biden commit to this crucial tool to invest in our workforce, and we will continue working in the Senate to move forward on our legislation.”   

From the beginning of this Administration, Senators Van Hollen, Wyden, and Baldwin have discussed the issue of long-term unemployment and the need to address it with a subsidized jobs program with members of the President’s economic team.  The Jobs for Economic Recovery Act was initially introduced by Senator Wyden in June 2020 and was reintroduced on March 17, 2021. Senators Van Hollen and Baldwin are both original cosponsors of the legislation, which incorporates provisions from their respective Long-Term Unemployment Elimination Act (introduced in June 2019) and Stronger Way Act (introduced in October 2017). Senator Van Hollen plans to reintroduce his Long-Term Unemployment Elimination Act in the coming weeks.