May 17, 2022, Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL) issued the following statement following the House passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 to substantially fund quality workforce training programs, which codifies and includes $250 million for the Reentry Employment Opportunities program championed by Rep. Davis.
“I applaud House passage of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 that will substantially strengthen and expand workforce training for justice-involved workers,” said Rep. Davis. “I am proud that this legislation includes many of the provisions of my bill – the Reentry Employment Opportunities Act – to codify the successful Reintegration of Ex-offenders program under the new name, the Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program.
I worked closely with my constituent, the Safer Foundation, reentry advocates, Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) to develop these provisions that support national, regional, and local organizations in providing employment and training services for individuals with criminal records. These grants through the Department of Labor build on my longstanding work to improve reentry via the Second Chance Act. The REO program increases employment, improves reentry, builds communities, and strengthens our economy.”
