22-04-2025
Rep. Bresnahan, colleagues introduce legislation to incentivize workforce training
Apr. 22—WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., on Tuesday said Northeastern Pennsylvania and the country are facing a skilled-workforce shortage, and businesses are in desperate need of those ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
"Work is not a dirty word," said Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township. "This is exactly why we should not punish taking advantage of learn-as-you-earn programs and forcing workers to choose between participation in proven SNAP E&T programs and being able to receive their nutrition benefits."
Bresnahan, along with U.S. Representatives Adriano Espaillat, D-New York; Max Miller, R-Ohio; and Alma Adams, D-North Carolina; have introduced the Training and Nutrition Stability Act.
Bresnahan said this bipartisan legislation will close a loophole stemming from the 2018 Farm Bill — which disincentivized participation in learn-as-you-earn job training programs, like apprenticeships, through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program.
Through the 2018 Farm Bill, Bresnahan said Congress strengthened SNAP E&T by including paid on-the-job training as an allowable activity under the program. This included the addition of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships as eligible programs.
However, Bresnahan said the income earned through these programs is still counted for the purposes of calculating their SNAP eligibility. He said this increase in income can threaten their SNAP eligibility, and SNAP E&T in turn, forcing recipients to choose between pursuing this workforce training or keeping their food benefits in the short-term under SNAP.
As a former chairman of a IBEW JATC, Bresnahan said he is a strong supporter of expanding access to learn-as-you-earn apprenticeship programs to help build the 21st and 22nd century workforce. He recently spoke about the need for this legislation during a House Agriculture Committee hearing regarding SNAP and work.
Specifically, Bresnahan said the Training and Nutrition Stability Act would exclude income earned from SNAP E&T programs from the income considered for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility.
"Last year, after release, more than 8,000 motivated people chose to walk through CEO's front door," said Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities. "It is a time of hope and renewal. SNAP is a key part of reentry, but many people's benefits are reduced once they begin a paid job training program."
Schaeffer said the Training and Nutrition Stability Act will help bridge the gap between workforce development and food security, allowing people to provide for their families and build a foundation for lasting independence. He said the bipartisan bill is primed to change many lives.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
