WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) – the only member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation who serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor – was today selected to serve on the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor & Pensions (HELP) and the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment.

The HELP Subcommittee deals with all matters regarding the relationships between employers and employees, including the jurisdiction oversight of the National Labor Relations Board, pensions and employment-related benefits.

“I know the struggles that America’s working families are facing because I’ve been there myself. I was once a single parent having to balance work, family life and a checkbook. I vow to share my experiences with colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we finally stand up for America’s workers and vote to raise wages and address our looming retirement security crisis,” said Congressman Norcross.

Norcross is the only electrician in Congress and, with leadership roles in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 351 and Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO, has advocated on behalf of thousands of hardworking men and women for over 30 years. These experiences led his colleagues to recently, unanimously elect him to serve as Vice Chair and Liaison to Labor for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He was also was one of four House Democrats appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Multiemployer Pensions to work on solutions for America’s retirement security crisis.

The Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee covers education and career training beyond the high-school level. That includes the Higher Education Act authorization, student assistance and employment services, career and technical training, and apprenticeship programs.

Norcross graduated from an IBEW apprenticeship program and has been a lifelong advocate for high-quality apprenticeship programs. Norcross recently joined the crew on the long-running PBS television series This Old House both on-site for an episode and in Washington, D.C. to discuss the importance of career training.

“My electrical apprenticeship training allowed me to learn-and-earn, so I could support a young family while learning a trade. It set me on a path toward a fulfilling, family-sustaining career, and it ultimately led me to serve in Congress. America needs a well-trained workforce to help build our future, and apprenticeships are critical to our success. I look forward to working with my colleagues to boost career-training opportunities,” said Norcross.

Additionally, Norcross has been working to make college more affordable. His office hosted a College Financial Aid Workshop Thursday night at Rowan University with financial aid resources and presentations by the Department of Education, as well as regional colleges and universities.

He added: “We’re is going to work to make college more affordable, more inclusive and more effective in preparing students for the jobs of the future. Our children and grandchildren should not be graduating with astronomical debt and a piece of paper that doesn’t lead to a good-paying job.”

The Subcommittee selections follow Norcross’ reappointment in the 116^th Congress to serve on the House Committee on Education and Labor and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). He was also selected by his colleagues to chair HASC’s largest Subcommittee, which covers Tactical Air and Land Forces, and to be the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee’s Parliamentarian for the 116^th Congress. Norcross is also the co-founder of the Building Trades Caucus and Vice-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.

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