Get Americans Back to Work

 Wednesday July 9, 2014, Representative Paul Cook (R – Apple Valley) voted in support of H.R. 803, the “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.” This bipartisan, bicameral bill reforms America’s workforce investment system and puts people back to work.

To ensure America’s economy operates at its full potential, Americans looking for work must have the skills needed for the work. H.R. 803 consolidates 15 federal workforce development programs and aligns them with skills training and education initiatives that provide job seekers with the skills they need to match job openings.

Cook said, “H.R. 803 is a jobs bill. Allowing American workers the opportunity to acquire the skills they need for jobs they apply to is one of my priorities in Congress. This bill streamlines burdensome federal mandates, promotes skills for in-demand jobs, reduces administrative costs, and delivers strong accountability over the use of taxpayer dollars. This bill is a huge win for the American people.”

A member of the House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.