VP Kamala Harris in Madison, apprenticeship executive order announced
MADISON, Wis. - Battleground Wisconsin is starting to become a revolving door of White House visits.
Vice President Kamala Harris made her way to Madison on Wednesday just a few days after first lady Jill Biden stopped in Waukesha. It was Harris' second trip to Wisconsin this year and sixth since she was sworn in.
"When we invest in the American people, including the American worker, everyone benefits," said Harris.
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A day after Super Tuesday, Harris promoted the Biden administration's new executive order to expand apprenticeship programs. She spoke to workers at a new Madison Metro Transit building construction site.
The White House said the order will "help create more Registered Apprenticeship programs in the federal workforce, encourage agencies to provide preferences on projects to recipients that hire individuals who have participated in Registered Apprenticeship programs and increase worker voice for federal programs and contracts."
Vice President Kamala Harris in Madison
"That will direct federal agencies to explore what federal jobs we have that can be filled by the highly skilled folks who have been trained in apprenticeship programs – and not giving these jobs only to people with a four-year college degree," Harris said of the executive order's goal.
It’s a program Izayah Rabell-Dahlberg knows about first-hand.
"I come from a history of tradesmen, so my dad and my uncle are actually both plumbers," he said.
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For over two months, Rabell-Dahlberg has been driving from Milwaukee to Madison to work on the future Madison Metro Transit facility as an apprentice.
"This is an option for people and not just college. You can take this far, and it’s not only physical – you can work your way up just like anything else," he said.
Standing beside acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, the vice president said many of the union partnerships offer on-the-job training.
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"(It means) people don’t have to worry about if they have to borrow money in order to receive an education that is for the benefit of the community," said Harris.
Despite the efforts, Wisconsin Republican leaders said Wednesday's visit was a rescue mission.
"Vice President Harris came to Madison today to claim she is on the side of workers, but nothing could be further from the truth," said U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil. "All you have to look at is the destruction this administration has caused."
Reaction and statements
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale:
"On the eve of the State of the Union Address, Vice President Kamala Harris is back in Wisconsin with Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su to meet with local union workers and highlight good job growth in our state. The Biden-Harris Administration is expanding apprenticeship programs that empower young workers through training opportunities and create stable, lifelong careers. A new Executive Order signed today by President Biden will increase and strengthen Registered Apprenticeship programs in the federal workforce as well as reestablish Labor Management Forums that bring workers and management together to improve the workplace.
"By supporting workers and our unions, the Biden Administration is working to bring balance and fairness to our economy so that it works for everyone, not just the wealthy and big corporations. As Chair of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, Vice President Harris is leading the charge to protect the freedom to organize and bargain with our employers so that we can have good jobs and a strong middle class.
"Today’s Vice Presidential visit to Wisconsin illustrates that President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to building a workers first economy in order to increase economic opportunity with good union jobs for all. These investments aren’t just helping our economy now but will have lasting positive effects for generations."