House Republicans introduce plan to help jobless find work

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- House Republicans, including freshman Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., wasted no time today introducing a component of President Bush's economic proposals: offering $3,000 re-employment accounts to help the jobless join the work force.

The money could be used by job hunters for computer training, child care, transportation, housing, job relocation or career counseling.

At a Capitol Hill press conference today Porter, flanked by House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, and other GOP lawmakers, unveiled the Back to Work Incentive Act. The bill is the first Porter has co-signed in the new 108th Congress.

"What's exciting about this legislation is that it's flexible, it's easy to understand and it's easy to use," Porter said.

Porter, who represents Nevada's new third congressional district, said Boehner asked him to be an original co-sponsor of the bill because he represents workers who have been hit hard by a post-Sept. 11 economic slump.

"They understand that we are a good example of an area that can be helped quickly by this legislation," Porter said.

Porter said he was optimistic the bill would garner bipartisan support.

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