The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

Episode 469: Rep. Riley Moore—I'm Just a Bill
Release Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this “bonus episode,” Mike Rowe sits down for a candid conversation with U.S. Representative Riley Moore (R-WV), a former tradesman and the sponsor of the federal Jumpstart Bill—legislation aimed at helping aspiring tradespeople with the capital costs of launching skilled careers. The discussion centers on the growing need for trades in the United States, legislative efforts to close the nationwide skills gap, and the personal stories and experiences that motivated the bill. With the tone both matter-of-fact and wryly humorous, the conversation highlights the cultural, educational, and economic shifts necessary for valuing skilled work as much as college degrees.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction and Context for the Jumpstart Bill

• The Jumpstart Bill: Inspired by the classic "I'm Just a Bill" from Schoolhouse Rock, this legislative effort reimagines 529 savings accounts for vocational paths, making tax-advantaged savings available for tools and startup costs for trades, in much the same way educational expenses are for college.
• Rep. Riley Moore’s Trades Roots: Moore previously worked as a welder and conceived the bill based on personal experience with the high costs of starting in the trades.
  • Quote — “Through terrible career choices, I'm now a congressman. …I’d be making more money if I was still a welder.” (C, 08:54)

2. The Gap in Support for Trades vs. College

• Current System Favors College: Extensive programs make it easier for students to afford college, but similar support is nearly non-existent for those entering vocational paths.
  • Quote — “We throw all this money and all these programs at college… but there's nothing really analogous to help people once they get out of trade school.” (C, 09:18)
• Capital Barriers: Starting as a skilled independent worker (e.g., a mobile welder, cosmetologist) often requires significant investment—sometimes tens of thousands of dollars in tools and equipment.
  • Quote — “It could be 100 grand.” (A, 11:10)

3. Structure and Function of Jumpstart Savings Accounts

• 529s & Jumpstart: The Jumpstart account mirrors a 529 plan’s tax-deferral features but can be used for buying tools, trucks, licenses, and equipment essential for skilled trades, and remains open indefinitely—suitable for ongoing investment into a trades career.
  • Quote — "It's for tools, equipment, licenses, certifications, and new business startup costs. But this account stays open in perpetuity." (C, 11:12)
• Rollover Provision: Dormant 529s could be transferred into Jumpstart accounts, allowing families flexibility if educational/life paths shift.

4. The Entrepreneur’s Edge in Trades

• Employee vs. Entrepreneur Mindsets: There’s a cultural gap between staying an employee and becoming a self-employed tradesperson. Jumpstart hopes to level the playing field for those with independent ambitions.
  • Quote — “There is a difference between an employee who wants to remain an employee… and the skilled trades [as] an entrepreneur, a small business person.” (A, 17:02)
• Bipartisan and Broad Support: Notably, the bill has garnered support from both unions (Teamsters) and business groups (Chamber of Commerce)—a rare occurrence.
  • Quote — “I've never seen a bill that was endorsed by the Teamsters and the Chamber of Commerce at the same time.” (A, 17:02)

5. Cultural and Political Shifts Needed

• States Have Unique Work Cultures: West Virginia, for example, has only 25% college attainment—not for lack of opportunity but preference and local tradition.
• Rowe and Moore discuss the mismatch between national policy approaches and the on-the-ground realities of states with distinctive economic and educational profiles.
  • Quote — “It makes no sense to talk about West Virginia and Florida or West Virginia and California in the same breath. States have personalities, states have identities.” (A, 21:02)

6. The Decline (and Possible Renaissance) of the Trades

• Workforce Needs: The U.S. now faces an urgent shortage of tradespeople—hundreds of thousands of positions in manufacturing, maritime, energy, and data center infrastructure go unfilled.
  • Quote — “The maritime industrial base needs 400,000 welders, electricians, and CNC operators... half a million electricians.” (A, 36:03)
• Global Competition and Security: The risk of supply chain fragility and global competitors like China highlight national security as a reason to reinvigorate domestic skilled labor.

7. Addressing the Stigma and Accelerating Credentialing

• Stigma Around Trade Schools: Trades are often seen as ‘less than’ white-collar or four-year-degree jobs, but offer lucrative and essential career paths.
  • Quote — “You talk about the cost of books... hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars for textbooks if you're in law school. …This is tens of thousands…maybe 100 grand to get going.” (A, 43:39)
• Credentialing Hurdles: Some trades require long apprenticeships or costly licensing—Moore supports streamlining without risking safety.

8. The Role of Government and Public-Private Partnership

• Jumpstart as Affirmation: For the first time, federal policy would signal that trades are as honorable and valuable as college careers.
  • Quote — “This type of program is saying, no, your government is telling you this is a good choice, a smart choice.” (C, 30:43)
• Case Study Scenarios: The hosts walk through how Jumpstart benefits a typical American family with kids interested in the trades, emphasizing flexibility and financial parity with college prep.

9. Motivations and Political Realities

• Personal Mission: Moore underscores his commitment: “This is my life experience. I gotta help the next guys.” (C, 47:13)
• Legislative Outlook: The bill has garnered broad endorsements; Moore is pushing for its inclusion in a new reconciliation package and expects bipartisan support.

10. Pride in Skilled Work

• Welding as a Metaphor: Moore reflects on the satisfaction and accountability inherent in welding—and by extension, all the trades.
  • Quote — “You're joining things, you're connecting things. But the inspector's going to show up... And if they are X-raying that thing and it's not passing, you're doing it again.” (C, 26:00-26:10)
• The hosts trade banter about “full-ass” vs. “half-ass” effort, celebrating the pride and integrity of skilled craftsmanship.
  • Quote — "I think we call that full assing, Congressman." (A, 26:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I used to be a welder; that's how I started my career. And through terrible career choices, I'm now a congressman. …I'd be making more money if I was still a welder.” (Rep. Riley Moore, 08:54)
• “There's a difference between an employee who wants to remain an employee… and an entrepreneur, a small business person.” (Mike Rowe, 17:02)
• “I've never seen a bill that was endorsed by the Teamsters and the Chamber of Commerce at the same time.” (Mike Rowe, 17:02)
• “We have thrown everything humanly possible at our young people to get them away from the trades over the last 20, 30 years. This type of program is saying: No, your government is telling you this is a good choice, a smart choice.” (Rep. Moore, 30:43)
• “You're joining things, you're connecting things. But the inspector's going to show up. And if they are X-raying that thing and it's not passing, you're doing it again.” (Rep. Moore, 26:00-26:10)
• “This is my life experience. I gotta help the next guys.” (Rep. Moore, 47:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:----------:|:------------------------------------------------| | 00:03 | Introduction: Why the episode was “meatier” than planned; Schoolhouse Rock reference | | 01:10 | Overview of the Jumpstart Bill: 529s for trades | | 08:54 | Rep. Moore’s backstory and inspiration for Jumpstart | | 11:10 | Moore explains the capital challenge for tradespeople | | 17:02 | Support from both unions and business community; cultural implications | | 21:02 | Discussion on unique state cultures and work identities | | 26:00 | The pride and rigor of welding—and doing a job right | | 30:43 | How Jumpstart positions trades as equal to college in the eyes of the government | | 36:03 | The national emergency: skills gap as an existential challenge | | 43:39 | Real-world costs for trades vs. college; addressing stigmas and misconceptions | | 47:13 | Moore’s personal mission and final thoughts on pushing the bill forward |

Episode Tone and Style

• Conversational, approachable, and occasionally irreverent. Both Rowe and Moore infuse the discussion with wit, pragmatism, and a deep appreciation for skilled work.
• “Full-assing” vs. “half-assing”—a playful moment highlighting the seriousness of craft and pride in the trades.
• Hopeful and solution-oriented: Emphasis on practical impacts, real people, and immediate legislative potential.

Conclusion

This episode offers an insightful and accessible exploration of America’s skills gap, the limitations of current educational policy, and an innovative legislative proposal to bridge that gap. By weaving personal narrative and political analysis, Mike Rowe and Rep. Riley Moore make a compelling case for championing skilled trades—and for making meaningful, bipartisan progress with common-sense legislation like the Jumpstart Bill.

If you care about the future of work in America, this episode is a must-listen and a rare example of pragmatic politics in action.