Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is reintroducing legislation to expand funding for education and certification in construction, saying, "Owning a home is an integral part of the American Dream, but unfortunately, it has become out of reach for too many."
Named the "Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural and Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools" (CONSTRUCTS) Act, Rep. Ciscomani's bill creates a grant program to fund and develop residential construction education and certification programs in trade schools, junior colleges, and community colleges.
Not only would such programs fill the heightened demand for skilled construction workers (giving the students well-paying jobs), but they would also allow more houses to be built, thereby lowering real estate prices in the long run.
In his press release, Rep. Ciscomani said, "Owning a home is an integral part of the American Dream, but unfortunately, it has become out of reach for too many."
"In southern Arizona and across the United States, there is a critical need for additional housing. The current shortage of skilled construction workers is driving costs higher and causing project delays, limiting the supply and leading to even higher prices. My bill will expand access to training programs at community colleges, junior colleges, and trade schools in the most in-need parts of our country to bolster the workforce of skilled construction workers, support high-demand, well-paying jobs for students, and increase the supply of housing units in order to make housing more affordable for everyone," the Arizona Congressman continued.
Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Don Davis (D-NC) join Ciscomani in sponsoring the bill, while Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.
The CONSTRUCTS Act marks Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez's second collaboration with Ciscomani, having previously cosponsored a bill to increase Medicaid buy-in coverage last April, which passed out of committee in September.
