During a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) questioned Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer about employment benefits for undocumented immigrants.
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00:00Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Madam Secretary.
00:07Thank you for the phone call.
00:08I appreciated being able to chat with you and the questions that I raised and the answers that you gave me.
00:16And so I'm encouraged to hear your commitment to restoring constitutional boundaries
00:21and returning power to the states, localities, and most importantly, the American worker.
00:26Today, we face a critical shortage of skilled labor in trades, manufacturing, energy, and other key industries
00:32where while millions are burdened with student debt and degrees that really haven't led to better jobs,
00:38you know, it's clearly time to rethink the federal workforce investment.
00:42Taxpayer dollars should fund results, not rhetoric.
00:45And that means cutting ineffective programs and tying funding to clear outcomes like job placement,
00:50earnings, and employer partnerships.
00:52It also means empowering the private sector.
00:54Employer-driven models with on-the-job training and real-world experience frequently outperform bloated federal programs.
01:02For too long, the federal labor policy has been shaped by sprawling one-size-fits-all programs.
01:07I think you mentioned that in your statement.
01:09With regard to political allies, and it prioritizes DEI checklists over merit
01:14and funds nonprofits that have little to do with advancing real workforce development.
01:19I'm grateful that the Trump administration is reversing course, eliminating waste, and focusing on results.
01:25I'm especially encouraged by your support for apprenticeships and skilled trades' practical debt-free paths to success.
01:32Federal policy must reflect that college isn't the only way up.
01:36You know, trade schools are phenomenal, and they have incredible graduation rates and job placement rates upon graduation.
01:43So I also share your concerns about Job Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
01:49These programs have been costly, ineffective, and in some cases unsafe.
01:54And the data is clear.
01:55You mentioned a study that y'all had done, and they're failing those they're meant to serve.
02:01So I thank you, and I thank President Trump, for eliminating the Job Corps in the budget request.
02:07Finally, I want to highlight your strong stand against rewarding illegal migration with unemployment benefits.
02:14It's unacceptable that American taxpayers are expected to subsidize policies that erode our national sovereignty and displace lawful workers.
02:22Your warning to governors on this front was well-placed and necessary.
02:27So, Madam Secretary, your recent warning to governors that states allowing illegal aliens to access unemployment benefits could lose federal funding.
02:36Can you provide an update on how you're enforcing that policy and what mechanisms are in place to stop the misuse of these benefits at the state level?
02:45No, thank you so much.
02:46This is such an important issue for, you know, the trust, unemployment insurance trust fund to be whole for the people who need it most.
02:54And I think that's the biggest concern.
02:55And so my recommendation was for those governors to comply with not allowing anybody who's of any illegal status to have unemployment insurance.
03:09And as we receive feedback, we will continue to discover what those dollars are and return them to the state treasury,
03:17because we've already uncovered and we have some returned already to the state treasury, but we need to follow up with that.
03:23I know Congress has approved through the House an extension on that unemployment insurance recovery.
03:29And we're looking forward to working with Congress and the Senate to continue that,
03:33because those are dollars that have been taken and not returned.
03:37And then we'll continue to follow up.
03:38And then as it extends to illegal immigration, we will continue to work with every governor to be a good federal partner,
03:44to have them understand that that is not what the unemployment insurance trust is for.
03:49It is for the American people who need it most.
03:51Thank you for that commitment.
03:53Now, our chairman asked about the adverse effect of wage rate, and I want to follow up on that.
03:58And it's making it increasingly difficult for farmers in my district, I'm a very agricultural district,
04:03to hire legal guest labor under the H-2A program.
04:07So I know you mentioned that there's litigation going on,
04:10but what is your department doing to address the unsustainable wage inflation under the AEWR,
04:17and will you support a freeze at the January 2023 levels or lower to protect American agriculture and food security?
04:26Well, thank you for the question.
04:27And because it is in litigation, I really can't comment any further.
04:30But I will continue to work with your office and any other office who this is very important.
04:35And I will also work with Secretary Rollins on this issue as it's important.
04:39As it reverts back to all of the H programs, though, as well, one of the things that the Department of Labor is doing
04:44is talking about accessibility and understanding the program in itself,
04:47and oftentimes the mitigation process or the navigation of the system.
04:51So streamlining those processes are working as well.
04:54So as a culmination of all of those together, I think we're going to have better outcomes for all the H programs,
04:59and then as well as it resorts to the AWIR issues.
05:03But until it's out of litigation, I won't be able to comment specifically.
05:07All right.
05:07Well, I look forward to working with you on that.
05:09And one last final question.
05:11Job Corps has been plagued with violence, waste, and poor outcomes for years.
05:15And, Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask unanimous consent for this article to be entered into the record.
05:21It's by Fox News.
05:23It says,
05:23New report exposes how government program with eye-popping budget, $1.7 billion,
05:29is failing vulnerable students, and it's April 25, 2025.
05:33So I ask that it be entered into the record.
05:37All right.
05:38And so I just want to thank you for your bold action on Job Corps.
05:42And is there any comment that you would like to make further about Job Corps and the decision by the president?
05:48If anybody needs any more assistance with their specific Job Corps numbers,
05:53I would like to offer that that is a public document.
05:57Right.
05:57But if there's anything else that I can get for you, please,
05:59I really want to work with each and every one of you on this issue,
06:02because that population is one that needs to be served,
06:05and how we do it more efficiently and effectively and keep our students safe
06:08and our workers safe is going to be a primary goal of the Department of Labor.
06:12Thank you very much, Mr. Pocan.
06:13Mr. Secretary, and I yield back.
06:14Thank you very much, Mr. Pocan.
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06:28Thank you very much, Mr. Pocan.