Out of Many, One

This week, people in communities all across the country will convene at parades, barbecues and fireworks displays to celebrate the moment in history when 13 colonies joined together to declare an end to British rule.

“Out of many, one.”

I find the above statement comforting these days. We spend a great deal of time in the national discourse focusing on the increasingly polarized political landscape and the resulting gridlock in Washington. However, the nation has been philosophically divided since the beginning, when colonists were forced to choose between rebellion and loyalty to the crown and again 100 years later, when Americans fought Americans over unity, states’ rights and slavery.

Fast forward another 100-plus years, and the cycle persists. Clearly, philosophical differences are high. Yet as has happened in the past, our differences have been openly debated. In the process, the discourse has served to perpetuate our national embrace for new and innovative approaches.

Recently, the U.S. Senate demonstrated how differences can eventually be overcome and turned into unity. On June 24, it voted overwhelmingly to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (H.R. 803). With a vote of 95-3, it just doesn’t get more bipartisan than that. Yet we know that the Senate’s action on June 25 came out of years of debate and, at times, partisan bickering.

Now it’s the U.S. House of Representative’s turn to demonstrate its ability to discuss differences and then move forward in a positive direction. When the House reconvenes, it is expected to consider H.R. 803. A bipartisan vote is needed to pass the bill and clear it for the President’s expected signature.

During this July 4 holiday, you have an opportunity to urge your House members to support the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This is a great opportunity for you to be an important part of the process in advancing positive workforce development and job training legislation, today and in the future.

Out of many, one.

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