Opinion Editorial

Imagine you are driving down the highway on your way to buy a car. You spent months researching years, makes and models, and you finally found somebody who was selling the exact ride you were looking for at a reasonable price. Suddenly, police pull you over for allegedly going 37 mph in a 35 mph zone. Upon discovering the $8,500 in cash you have on hand, the officers take you to jail and threaten to charge you with money laundering unless you turn over the money. Frightened, you give it to them.

Our country has long been predicated on and flourished under the belief that a good, honest day's work brings success. As many families continue to struggle under one of the slowest economic recoveries in decades, we are reminded daily that America can't work if enough Americans aren't working. We need a healthy economy that grows all types of jobs – salaried, hourly, full-time or part-time –and reflects the diversity of our country's workers and workforce needs.

The U.S. contains more oil, coal and natural gas resources than any other nation in the world, yet hardworking families across Michigan are still struggling to pay the price at the pump. With these abundant resources and a workforce yearning for new opportunities, Americans shouldn't be forced to choose between filling the gas tank or putting food on the table.

For many Americans, the dream of a comfortable middle-class existence seems increasingly out of reach. I've heard from many people at my town hall meetings and coffee hours who are disappointed with the inability of a big federal government to help bring the dream back. Washington is actually making it tougher to make ends meet through misguided policies which raise household costs while decreasing take-home pay.

Nearly 2 million students graduated from college or a university last year yet, in spite of reaching a major milestone, many of these college graduates are struggling to find work that reflects their skill set. In the latest jobs report, the unemployment rate for 20- to 24-year-olds totaled 11.9 percent — almost double the national average. Young people are tired of worrying about the economy as they realize that the best solution to their economic troubles is a good-paying job.

Each year, millions of men, women and children as young as 12 years old are trafficked around the world and even here in the U.S. Because combatting this issue is so important to me I recently held a human trafficking forum with local officials to discuss what we're doing to end these heinous crimes, and by the sheer number of you who attended can tell it's important to you too. Human trafficking is no longer an issue that happens in foreign countries; it's in our backyard and must be addressed.

Our hard work in the House to help Americans attain skills for 21^st century jobs is making headway, and last month, the House and Senate announced a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to reform the federal workforce development system. This compromise, entitled the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), will give states the tools they need to strengthen these vital programs to help put Americans back to work.

Memorial Day is a time when we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by the men and women who died in military service. As we reflect on the tremendous sacrifices that members of our armed forces and their families make when they serve our country, we must also remember our responsibility to assist those returning from the battlefield. Our warriors have served us and now we have a duty to serve them and ensure their successful transition back to civilian life.