00:00Are we in a quorum call? We are not. Thank you. Mr. President, I rise today to shine a light on
00:08Donald Trump's dismantling of yet another critical program that Nevadans and young people across our
00:14nation rely on, the Job Corps program. Job Corps was established by Congress to provide young
00:21people with the skills training that they need to access good-paying, in-demand jobs.
00:27It is the largest residential career training program in the entire country, providing young
00:34people, many of whom were previously homeless or at risk, with housing and skills training
00:40in fields like manufacturing, construction, and health care. Once they graduate, they enter
00:48the workforce and contribute to our communities and our economy. They learn the skills necessary
00:55to build their lives, to build their futures. It's truly a great program that has helped
01:01more than 3 million people have a chance at the American Dream since 1964.
01:10Unfortunately, Job Corps centers across the country received a stop work order at the end
01:17of last week that instructed them to close their doors and send all of their students back home,
01:22including Nevada's Job Corps campus, the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center in Reno, Nevada.
01:31This is going to be devastating. Devastating for the tens of thousands of young people who
01:38are currently enrolled in all 50 states. The Trump administration, well, it claims it supports
01:45trade schools and job training. But frankly, Mr. President, if this administration really knew
01:51anything about the Job Corps program, they'd know that they are trade schools. They're centers
01:58where students go, where they study, where they work hard, and where they earn their certifications
02:04that allow them access to good-paying jobs. So why is Donald Trump closing down this program
02:11and taking away the opportunity for these students to work? It just doesn't make any sense.
02:20Shutting down this program will also immediately evict more than 300 students at the Nevada campus
02:26alone, many of whom have nowhere else to go. Students like Samuel, who wrote to me saying, quote,
02:35I'm a 19-year-old student who attends Sierra Nevada Job Corps. I happen to be a paraplegic who was adopted
02:46at the age of seven. Since then, I've had many health issues and trials which made it very difficult for me
02:53to do all of my school classes. Then I came to Job Corps eight months ago, and I'm actually doing very well.
03:03Job Corps has provided me with more than just an education and vocational training. It's offered me a safe haven,
03:10a community, and a path forward. The comprehensive support allows me to focus on my personal and professional
03:20development without the constant worry of where I'll sleep or how I'll eat. For individuals like myself,
03:29Job Corps is not merely a program. It is a lifeline. The prospect of its closure is not just a policy crisis,
03:39it is a personal crisis. Without Job Corps, I face the grim reality of unemployment, of homelessness,
03:47and the continuation of a cycle of poverty that has been difficult to break." End quote.
03:56When rumors of the Trump administration's cruel plan came out,
04:00countless Nevadans who care about Job Corps immediately reached out to my office,
04:05many sharing their stories of students this program helps.
04:10Job Corps is life-changing, life-saving for these young people. And since the stop work order went into effect,
04:17well, those students themselves have been reaching out and speaking out to students like Selma from Reno,
04:25who wrote in saying, quote,
04:28Since being at Job Corps, I've earned six credits in the three months I've been here. I've also received my chainsaw certification and respirator certification.
04:41If Job Corps closes, I won't have any other chance at an education. I'll leave with an incomplete trade and be unemployable for what I trained in, and I'll leave with no diploma." End quote.
04:58And Pamela, who said, I'm going to quote again,
05:01I worked so hard to get where I am now. Months ago, I was struggling, trying to figure out life. I didn't know what to do.
05:10I was working from warehouse to warehouse until I heard about Job Corps. That's when I knew if I came here to Job Corps,
05:19I could do something with my life and show my son that it is never too late to accomplish your goals.
05:26Now, I'm here working with 100% of my strength and energy. But if Job Corps closes, I'll have no other education opportunities. End quote.
05:41These stories are heartbreaking. They're hard to hear. These young people, and so many more like them, have gained hope and confidence.
05:51And this administration is going after kids who want to grow, who want to learn, who want to work, who are trying to do the right thing.
05:59Students who are trying to do what they've been told their whole lives to do, get an education, work hard to get a good paying job and to be able to live the American dream.
06:10This closure is not only going to hurt those kids. This closure is going to hurt even those looking to serve our nation.
06:23Those young folks who wish to join our military. Students like Anthony, who wrote,
06:30I was recommended to go to Job Corps by my older brother who had graduated from here back in 2013.
06:37And he's now working as a contractor for the United States Air Force. And he believes it's all thanks to Job Corps.
06:45If Job Corps closes, I'll be at a disadvantage in my pursuit of joining the military, which is my goal.
06:52Without Job Corps, I will be unable to earn my diploma and unable to leave with the required certifications for the career I think will be amazing for my future."
07:04End quote.
07:08So now, just imagine, tens of thousands of students, just like Samuel, just like Selena, Pamela, and Anthony,
07:18who are working on building a better life for themselves, working hard.
07:23They want to build a better community for everyone.
07:26That's who the Trump administration is sacrificing. Students like Samuel, Pamela, Selena, Anthony.
07:36Kids who want to build a life for themselves.
07:40And for what and for who? Tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. That's who.
07:47And as I share these stories, students at Sierra Nevada Job Corps are walking across the stage right now,
07:53which could be their final graduation.
07:58Meanwhile, sadly, this administration is working overtime to give billionaires like Elon Musk
08:04more government contracts, more money, and more tax breaks,
08:09and putting the American dream out of reach for thousands of students in need.
08:14It's putting their future and the future of our communities at risk.
08:19Again, I say for what and for who is the sacrifice of our kids.
08:25It's to give billionaires a bigger tax break.
08:29And this program has support from both sides of the aisle.
08:33There are Job Corps centers in blue states and red states.
08:37And since 1964, this program has helped literally thousands of young folks build a career and build a life.
08:48And we cannot allow Donald Trump to end Job Corps and kill the dreams and opportunities for young people across our country.
08:56So I urge my colleagues in both parties to join me in supporting Job Corps and pledging to do everything we can do to fight back
09:07against any and all efforts to defund this critical trades program.
09:14A critical program for the lives of our young students.
09:22Mr. President, I note the absence of a quorum.
