A resolution to authorize testimony and representation in United States v. Reffitt.

Mr. President, by supporting the development of a workforce trained in in-demand skills, we can accelerate the recovery of our economy. The Nation's continued progress and the socioeconomic mobility of our citizens are contingent on the education and skills of the American workforce and its ability to adjust to and fulfill the needs of the 21st century economy, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and with growing infrastructure needs. Career and technical education--CTE--programs are vital to every student's education, providing them access to the important knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to obtain careers in rapidly growing, high- demand industries. Today, approximately 11 million students across the Nation are enrolled in CTE programs offered by thousands of career academies, comprehensive high schools, CTE high schools, community colleges, and CTE centers. Through applied learning, these students obtain workplace skills and technical training that mirror in-demand positions in the workforce.

In the next decade, millions of skilled workers will be needed to fill infrastructure positions in the United States, including jobs related to designing, building, and operating transportation, housing, telecommunication, and utilities facilities. As local governments are able to invest in projects previously put on hold because of the pandemic and with the recent passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, there will be even more demand for skilled workers. CTE programs intentionally match skills with workforce demands, lowering the probability of high school drop-out and increasing the likelihood of on-time graduation rates. One study showed that high school students who were CTE concentrators graduated from high school, enrolled in postsecondary education, and were employed full-time at higher rates than their nonconcentrator peers. CTE concentrators also had a higher median income 8 years after graduation. These CTE programs will help fill the estimated 30 million U.S. jobs available with an average annual income of $55,000 that do not require a bachelor's degree yet necessitate some level of postsecondary education.

In 2018, Congress affirmed the importance of CTE by passing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which supports CTE programs in secondary and postsecondary education. We also need to ensure we continue reskilling and upskilling workers by supporting workforce development programs.

Today, with my Senate CTE Caucus cochairs Senator Portman, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Young and more than two-thirds of my Senate colleagues, I am pleased to again introduce a bipartisan resolution to designate February as Career and Technical Education--CTE--Month. CTE Month encourages students, parents, counselors, educators, and school leaders to learn more about the diverse educational opportunities offered in their communities and recognize the valuable role of CTE in developing a well-educated and highly skilled workforce in the United States. By formally recognizing CTE Month through this resolution, we hope to bring greater awareness to improving access to high-quality career and technical education for millions of America's students and our Nation's ongoing economic competitiveness.

S. Res. 517

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following Senate resolutions introduced earlier today: S. Res. 515, S. Res. 516, S. Res. 517.

Mr. President, the first criminal trial arising out of the events of January 6, 2021, is scheduled to begin on February 28, 2022, in Federal district court in the District of Columbia. The Federal indictment charges the defendant with five felony counts for obstructing the counting by Congress of the electoral ballots for President and Vice President, transporting a firearm for unlawful use in furtherance of a civil disorder, using and carrying a firearm in a restricted area on the Capitol grounds, obstructing the Capitol Police during a civil disorder, and obstructing justice based on statements the defendant made to his children in reference to these matters.

The government has requested trial testimony from Daniel Schwager, formerly counsel to the Secretary of the Senate, related to the obstruction count, including his knowledge and observations of the process and constitutional and legal bases for Congress' certification of the Electoral College vote.

The Secretary of the Senate would like to cooperate with this request by providing relevant testimony from Mr. Schwager at this trial. In keeping with the rules and practices of the Senate, this resolution would authorize the production of relevant testimony from Mr. Schwager, with representation by the Senate legal counsel.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.