00:00I thank the gentleman. Pursuant to Committee Rule 8C, all members who wish
00:05to insert written statements into the record may do so by submitting them to
00:10the committee clerk electronically in Microsoft Word format by 5 p.m. 14 days
00:16after this hearing and without objection the hearing record will remain open for
00:2014 days to allow such statements and other extraneous material noted during
00:26the hearing to be submitted for the official hearing record. I'll now turn
00:32to the introduction of today's witness, the Honorable Lori M. Chavez de Reimer,
00:37Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. Madam Secretary, we thank you for being
00:43here today. We thank you for reaching out to our committees and committee members
00:47on both sides of the aisle. As you are aware, it's your responsibility to provide
00:52accurate information to the committee. Pursuant to committee rules, I would ask
00:56that you limit your oral presentation to a five-minute summary of your written
01:01statement before questioning. Madam Secretary, you're welcome and you are
01:06recognized for your testimony. Chairman Wahlberg, Ranking Member Scott and
01:12members of the committee, thank you for the invitation to testify today. It's an
01:17honor to appear before the committee as the 30th Secretary of Labor to share the
01:21important work this administration is doing at the department and discuss the
01:25President's fiscal year 2026 budget request. My role as Secretary is to ensure
01:31the American worker is at the center of our economic strategy. These workers have
01:37railed behind President Trump and given him a clear mandate. It is my job to
01:42guarantee that they are not just heard, but respected and prioritized at every level
01:46of government. From the moment I was sworn in on March 11th, I promised to put
01:52American workers first and that mission has guided me from the very beginning.
01:56Through the common sense reforms, we will focus the Department of Labor on that same
02:01purpose. Saving taxpayer resources while safeguarding protections that are
02:07critical to the health and well-being of our workforce, like enforcement efforts,
02:11inspectors, and investigators. Additionally, I'm committed to having an
02:16open-door policy with every worker. As their liaison and advocate, I am dedicated
02:22to painting an accurate picture of laborers' needs and concerns. I launched my
02:26listening tour, America at Work, to hear directly from the men and women who are
02:31living this day in and day out. From a training facility demonstration with the
02:36International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Pennsylvania, to a day spent with
02:41apprentices learning to become aviation mechanics in Nevada, I am experiencing and
02:45relaying the everyday challenges and triumphs of America at work. These insights
02:50are imperative to shaping federal labor policies and practices. To help employers
02:55and stakeholders better understand existing labor laws and provide them with
03:00much-needed transparency, the Department of Labor launched our opinion letter
03:04program this week across five of our enforcement agencies. This key tool puts
03:09practical guidance into the hands of the public while improving compliance and
03:13giving workers and employers peace of mind. Putting American workers and
03:17businesses first is a priority I share with President Trump, and he's delivering, with
03:22nearly $10 trillion in private investments and almost a half a million new jobs. To
03:27further stimulate our economic comeback, the Trump administration is
03:31overhauling the waste and abuse that has characterized the federal government's use of
03:35tax dollars for decades. The Labor Department is looking at ways to streamline
03:40federal programs and evaluate how taxpayer dollars are spent. In line with this approach,
03:46the budget proposes to eliminate ineffective training interventions, and that does
03:50include the Job Corps program. Our recently released Job Corps transparency
03:55report showed that in 2023 alone, more than 14,000 serious incidents were reported
04:01at the Job Corps centers, including cases of sexual assault, physical violence, and drug use.
04:07This program is failing to deliver safe and successful outcomes our young people deserve.
04:13At the same time, it costs an average of almost $20,000 more per year for a student
04:18to attend Job Corps than it does for a student to attend Harvard. Our nation's vulnerable young
04:24adults deserve better, and I am committed, with all of you, to achieving the safest and most
04:30successful outcomes possible. Consistent with these efforts, the President's Fiscal Year
04:352026 budget gives states the flexibility to spend workforce dollars in the way that
04:41makes the most sense for them. By consolidating siloed federal job programs into single
04:47Make America Skilled Again grants, states and localities will be able to spend more time
04:53and money delivering high quality training for their workers. Pursuant to two critical executive orders,
04:59my department is hard at work collaborating with the Department of Commerce and Education
05:04to unlock the potential of the American worker. We are looking to strengthen registered apprenticeships,
05:10modernize workforce development programs, and invest in opportunities that upskill workers
05:15to meet current labor market demands. Now, before I take your questions, I do want to address
05:20at the outset, there are likely questions that will cover issues subject to litigation, as the ranking member mentioned. And I will not be able to provide the
05:28detailed responses that you are looking for in this setting. I understand you all want answers, and I will make the same promise to you that I made to the Chairman on our call.
05:37Even if I can't provide the details today, I remain committed to working with you on the issues that impact your constituents. I believe, as all of you do, that we must work together to foster an economy that ensures every American can thrive with good pay, safe working conditions, and a secure retirement. It is my honor to work with the
05:58work on behalf of President Trump, as we bring jobs back to the United States and put the American worker first again. I look forward to working with Congress on these goals and continuing this important discussion today. Thank you.
