Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement in opposition to letting critical Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits expire tomorrow. House Republicans failed to act on legislation that would extend this program to help Americans who have lost their jobs due to increased imports.

During the October 2009-September 2010 federal fiscal year, 5,329 Washington residents received Trade Act services – more than double the number from the previous year. Of them, 2,637 received job retraining. After receiving Trade Act services, some 74 percent of participants obtain new jobs. On average, their new jobs paid 85 percent of what they earned before being laid off.

“It is a mistake to let the Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits expire. TAA is a critical program that has helped thousands of Washington residents receive the job training they need to find good employment after losing their jobs due to increased imports,” said Rep. Larsen.

“TAA is a critical funding source for up-skilling dislocated workers who have lost their jobs to foreign influence. In the four counties we serve, 212 individuals benefitted from TAA funded services over the last two years,” said Gay Dubigk, Executive Director of the Northwest Workforce Council in Bellingham.

###