Congressional Black Caucus Urges Senate To Pass Jobs Bill
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 4:22PMRobert Hune-Kalter
Talk Radio News Service
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) hand delivered a letter to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Wednesday, urging him to support job creation, especially for America’s youth.
The Senate recently rejected a provision put forth by the House to create summer employment for youths but CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said they were able to make headway in creating jobs for young Americans.
“In this bill we were able to negotiate a $1 billion provision for a summer youth jobs program, our black farmer settlement [and] an expansion of temporary assistance for needy families,” Lee said.
The CBC points out that although the unemployment rate dropped May, the unemployment rate for African-American youths showed a 1 percent increase between April and May to 38 percent.
“I used to remember when the summer came, young people were just anxious to have that opportunity for their first job, to deny that opportunity to young people today is a crime,” said Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.)
The CBC is looking at passing a jobs bill as soon as possible, saying that funding would be most effective during the summer months while students are out of school.
“If the bill is approved at 3:30 today, we still have a problem, and that’s why we can’t wait,” said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.). “The money goes through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to the state governments, then they go to the municipal government, which requires a vote to accept the money.”
Reader Comments (3)
While I understand that the unemployment rate for youths, especially minorities is among the highest, there is RAMPANT age discrimination going on right now for anyone over 40 and out of work. I would like to see CBC address this as well. Any discrimination needs to be fought by all.
Thank You! Thank you!
In my many conversations since our economy tanked, I've stressed the importance of job opportunities for our youth. Where I live, the recreation centers are closed during the summer except for summer camps for those who can pay. What are our youth suppose to do during the summer months. I am especially concerned about those, between the ages of 14 and 18, who desire to work and find that they must compete with their parents for employment. It is cheaper to employ our youth than to incarcerate them. Yet, the pipeline, to the jail and prison, is forever present.
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