Labor & Employment (Workforce Development)

in committee · United States · Senate May 15, 2025

S 1794: SNAP Next Step Act of 2025

The SNAP Next Step Act of 2025 modifies the Food and Nutrition Act to connect SNAP (food stamp) recipients with workforce training. It defines "covered individuals" as SNAP households where members are unemployed/underemployed, not receiving TANF benefits, and not enrolled in state "Employment First" programs. States can now use SNAP administrative funds to run job training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for these individuals. Additionally, states must create a free online "employment calculator" on their websites to help SNAP participants compare future earnings with current benefits. This bill directly affects low-income SNAP households seeking employment opportunities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentConnects SNAP recipients to workforce training via WIOA, using SNAP funds to support employment opportunities for unemployed/underemployed individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Jul 29, 2025

HR 4825: COTA Act

HR 4825, the COTA Act, amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to improve career guidance for skilled trades. It requires workforce programs to provide students with information about high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career paths - including construction, healthcare, and technology - and to run public awareness campaigns (like social media ads) about these opportunities. This directly affects community colleges, career centers, and workforce development agencies administering federal job training programs. The bill mandates these new guidance and outreach requirements to help connect students and workers with growing industry needs. It does not change funding levels or create new programs, but updates existing workforce development services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates career guidance for skilled trades, expanding student access to high-demand career pathways via community colleges and workforce programs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPromotes high-skill, high-wage career pathways in construction, healthcare, and tech through workforce guidance, advancing employment opportunities and job quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Feb 18, 2025

HR 1434: Strengthening Communities through Summer Employment Act

HR 1434 authorizes $200 million to $240 million annually (2026-2030) to fund summer youth employment programs for participants under 25, primarily targeting high-unemployment and high-crime communities. It provides competitive grants to states, local governments, or nonprofits to create or expand programs that include subsidized jobs (minimum wage, 4+ weeks), mentoring, career counseling, and post-program support - aimed at improving high school graduation, college enrollment, employment, and reducing crime rates. The bill prioritizes programs serving underserved youth (including rural/suburban areas) and requires grantees to implement specific elements like job training, digital literacy, and employer matching. An Advisory Board oversees grant reviews, evaluates program impact, and maintains a database of outcomes to ensure evidence-based improvements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds youth employment in high-crime communities to improve graduation rates and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds summer programs with mentoring/counseling to improve high school graduation and college enrollment rates, directly advancing educational outcomes.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds summer youth employment with minimum wage, targets high-unemployment areas, and includes career support to improve employment outcomes and graduation rates, directly advancing labor & employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Child Labor Minimum Wage Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Jul 10, 2025

HR 4347: SNAP E&T Data And Technical Assistance (DATA) Act of 2025

This bill authorizes $15 million annually (2026-2030) for competitive grants to state agencies to build better data systems for SNAP employment and training programs. It requires states to create longitudinal databases linking SNAP data with education and workforce programs (like WIOA), while protecting participant privacy and ensuring funds supplement - not replace - existing state investments. States must use grants to improve program quality, reduce administrative burden, and enable better coordination across federal workforce initiatives. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress and a GAO study on implementation effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $15M/year for SNAP data system grants, supplementing state funding to improve public service efficiency and program quality.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds data systems linking SNAP with education programs, improving educational access and workforce integration for students.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds $15M for SNAP employment/training data systems to improve program quality, reduce admin burden, and link workforce programs (WIOA), advancing employment standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly requires states to protect participant privacy while building data systems for SNAP programs, directly addressing data privacy (a core technology policy area) as per the topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 3379: EARLY Benefits for Workers Act

S 3379 (EARLY Benefits for Workers Act) allows states to use up to 20% of their unemployment grant funds (or $3 million) to provide job training and support services to workers *immediately* after they file for unemployment benefits, rather than waiting for later stages of their claim. This directly affects unemployed workers filing initial claims for regular unemployment benefits, enabling faster access to reemployment help. States cannot deny benefits solely because a worker didn’t use these early services during the initial claim period. If a worker later loses eligibility, states keep the grant funds spent on the early services and aren’t penalized for providing them. The bill changes how states administer unemployment grant funds to speed up job support access.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows immediate job training access via unemployment funds, directly supporting reemployment for workers filing claims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Dec 15, 2025

HR 6725: Jobs, On-the-Job Earn-While-You-Learn Training, and Apprenticeships for Young African-Americans Act

This bill establishes a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator at the Department of Labor to increase African American participation in apprenticeships. It requires all new and renewing registered apprenticeship programs to submit plans boosting African American enrollment and creates competitive grants for programs targeting underserved communities in fields like construction, healthcare, and tech. The grants fund outreach, mentoring, and support services to help African American youth access and complete apprenticeships. The bill directly affects African American young people and apprenticeship programs nationwide, with $2 million authorized for fiscal year 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates competitive grants for apprenticeship programs, allocating government funds to boost enrollment - direct funding for public service.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grants funding outreach/mentoring for African American youth in apprenticeships, expanding educational access to underserved communities in workforce training programs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates competitive grants for apprenticeships targeting African American youth, mandates enrollment plans, and establishes Diversity Administrator to boost participation in employment programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill includes grants for apprenticeships in tech fields and promotes digital equity through workforce development programs75% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HR 6137: Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

HR 6137 would create a new separate job code for "direct support professionals" (DSPs) within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system. This change aims to better recognize DSPs - who provide daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (like helping with daily living, community participation, and goal-setting) - as distinct from other roles like home health aides. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to consider this revision during the next system update, without authorizing new funding. It addresses data gaps caused by high turnover rates (39% nationally) in DSP hiring and retention.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates separate job code for DSPs to recognize their distinct role, improving employment standards and worker classification within federal system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 14, 2026

S 3597: National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands federal efforts to advance quantum information science, engineering, and technology through 2034. The bill establishes new workforce development programs, including quantum education initiatives, traineeships, and a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub to address talent needs. It creates an International Quantum Cooperation Strategy to foster partnerships with allies and addresses quantum supply chain vulnerabilities through mapping and planning efforts. The act includes specific funding allocations for quantum research centers, testbeds, and post-quantum cryptography development, with annual evaluations required to assess program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects federal agencies, research institutions, and the quantum industry by providing structured funding and coordination for quantum technology advancement.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes workforce development programs including quantum education, traineeships, and reskilling hub to address talent needs, directly supporting employment standards and workforce development.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill reauthorizes federal quantum research funding and creates workforce programs to advance quantum technology development, directly supporting tech innovation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · House Mar 26, 2025

HR 2354: Restoring Temporary to TANF Act

This bill requires states receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to spend at least 25% of their annual grant amount on work-related services. Specifically, states must use these funds for job training, education programs, apprenticeships, short-term benefits, and case management to help individuals create employment plans. The requirement applies to all states administering TANF programs and takes effect October 1, 2026. It directly affects TANF recipients by prioritizing workforce development support through mandatory state spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 25% of TANF funds for job training/employment programs, directing existing federal funds toward workforce development and fiscal responsibility.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates 25% of TANF funds be used for job training and education programs, directly expanding educational access and workforce development services.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 25% TANF funds for job training, education, and employment services, directly advancing employment standards and workforce development for recipients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Sep 18, 2025

HR 5493: USA Workforce Investment Act

HR 5493, the USA Workforce Investment Act, creates a federal tax credit for individual taxpayers who donate cash to approved workforce development or apprenticeship training programs. It directly affects U.S. individual taxpayers who contribute to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations listed under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill allows a credit of up to $1,700 per year for such donations, with adjustments for state tax credits and a prohibition on double-deducting the same contribution. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates federal tax credit ($1,700/year) for individual donations to workforce programs, providing direct tax relief to taxpayers while incentivizing private investment in public workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credit for donations to workforce training programs, directly funding employment development initiatives under WIOA framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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