Kaine, Coons, Cassidy, Tillis Applaud Passage of the Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment (BRIDGE) for Workers Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) celebrated Congress’ passage of the Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment (BRIDGE) for Workers Act. The bill will give states more flexibility in administering existing reemployment benefits to help more Americans find good-paying jobs. The bill will soon be signed into law by President Biden.
This legislation will allow states to provide reemployment benefits to more unemployed Americans trying to reenter the workforce. Those benefits can include job search assistance, employability assessments, job matching, financial literacy programs, and support with resume writing and interviewing.
“Losing a job can be an extremely stressful experience. I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed our bipartisan legislation to help ensure people are able to get back into the workforce as quickly as possible. I look forward to the president signing this bill into law,” said Kaine.
“Despite record-low unemployment levels, everything from the rapid growth of technology to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still making it hard for many American workers to find jobs, and reemployment benefits are a proven tool that get more Americans back into the workforce,” said Coons. “I’m thrilled Congress has committed to investing in our workforce and ensuring reemployment benefits are as effective as possible by passing the BRIDGE for Workers Act. I’ll continue working to pass legislation that will help American workers and their families.”
“We encourage work and benefit families by making it easier and quicker to find a job,” said Cassidy. “We have the resources, so passing this bill in the Senate is a step in the right direction.”
“Expanding access to reemployment services like financial literacy classes and resume-building workshops gives unemployed Americans a competitive edge in our ever-changing job market,” said Tillis. “I’m proud the Senate passed this legislation, which makes critical resources available to those looking for work so more Americans can find reliable, good-paying jobs.”
Each year, the U.S. Department of Labor grants funds to states and territories to help unemployment claimants find work through reemployment services. However, under current law, these funds can only be used to assist individuals who are expected to run out of unemployment benefits before securing employment. This limitation excludes many workers who could benefit from support. The BRIDGE for Workers Act will lift this restriction, allowing states to use federal grants to offer reemployment services to all individuals receiving unemployment benefits, as long as the state determines the services will help them return to work faster.
The legislation is supported by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the nonpartisan national organization representing all 50 state workforce agencies, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
The text of the bill can be found here.