The President's jobs and growth policies have put the economy on the road to recovery'there is more work to be done. The President has outlined a six-point plan to create even more job opportunities for America's workers and keep America the best place in the world to do business. The plan includes: enabling families and businesses to plan for the future with confidence by making tax reductions permanent; making health care costs more affordable and predictable; reducing the burden of lawsuits on our economy; ensuring an affordable, reliable energy supply; streamlining regulations and paperwork requirements; and opening new markets for American products and services.

America is economically stronger when we participate fully in the worldwide economy. 95% of the world's population lives outside the United States and represents a vast potential market for U.S. companies. The President's commitment to promoting free and fair trade will open new markets for American products and services, bring lower prices and more choices to American consumers, and create more higher-paying jobs for American workers.

As we recognize the benefits of free and fair trade, we also recognize that any economic change--whether arising from trade or technology--can be painful for some workers and their families. We must help these workers deal with the dislocation and acquire the skills to find good-paying jobs. The President's FY 2005 budget commits significant resources to help displaced workers find jobs, and seeks to improve high school education and strengthen post-secondary education and job training.

• Job training and employment assistance: The President's FY 2005 budget proposes $23 billion for job training and employment assistance.
• Jobs for the 21st Century: In addition to helping dislocated workers find employment, the President has proposed more than $500 million in his FY 2005 budget for his Jobs for the 21st Century initiative to help prepare U.S. workers to take advantage of the better skilled, higher paying jobs of the future. This includes $250 million in proposed funding targeted to community colleges to train workers for industries that are creating the most new jobs, and $33 million for expanded Pell Grants for low-income students who complete rigorous coursework in high school. The President's plan will also improve the quality of education at our Nation's high schools and better prepare students for success in higher education and the job market -- including $100 million to help striving readers and $120 million to improve math education.