Senate Adjourns for Recess Ahead of Midterm Elections; Bonamici Throws Hat in the Committee Race
Washington Update
October 13, 2026
Appropriations
On Tuesday, October 6, Senator Mazie Hirono’s (HI) office began soliciting ideas for FY28 earmarks ahead of formal guidance from the Senate Appropriations Committee. Although the committee is not expected to issue its FY28 guidance for several months, Hirono’s office is encouraging organizations and local governments seeking federal funding to share potential requests early. The office noted that its guidance remains preliminary until committee-wide instructions are available but said early outreach would allow staff to provide feedback and answer questions before the formal appropriations process begins.
Both the House and Senate have officially adjourned for recess and are set to return to Washington for full legislative sessions on Monday, November 9.
House Education and Workforce Committee Leadership
On Tuesday, October 6, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamini (OR) sent a Dear Colleague letter to members of the Democratic Caucus that declared her intent to run for chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, should her party take the House after primaries.
Current Committee Ranking Member, and past Chair, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA) and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT) are also running for the top spot. Bonamici currently serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and has previously introduced a resolution to impeach the Secretary of Education Linda McMahon because of her efforts to dismantle the agency without congressional approval.
Department of Homeland Security
On Wednesday, October 7, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed requiring colleges to pay $70,000 for each international student seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization and $30,000 for program extensions. OPT allows international students to work in jobs related to their fields of study during or after their academic programs. Most students are eligible for up to one year of post-graduation work authorization, while graduates in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields may qualify for an additional two years. The proposed fees represent a sharp increase from the roughly $500 students have typically paid themselves.
DHS said the proposal is intended to deter fraud and require colleges to exercise greater oversight when recommending students for OPT. Higher education advocates warned that the proposal could further discourage international enrollment and affect colleges’ finances. International students often pay full tuition and provide a significant source of revenue for colleges and universities, helping support institutional budgets, financial aid and services for domestic students. There are also fears that the proposal could weaken the OPT program and the nation’s talent pipeline amid intensifying global competition for economic leadership.
Click here to access the full proposal.
USCM/WDC STAFF ANALYSIS
-
Click here to read the entire October 13 weekly legislative update.
-
Click here to access legislative updates from previous weeks.
-
Click here to access the entire catalogue of WDC publications.
-
Click here to access the WDC SharePoint site, a centralized hub where WDC workforce leaders can upload, access, and exchange materials that help advance local workforce and economic development efforts.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WDC in the News
-
Last month, Chief Trinh Nguyen and the City of Boston’s Worker Empowerment Cabinet hosted the 2026 Workforce Innovation Symposium. The convening brought together workforce leaders, government officials, educators, technology partners, and youth-focused organizations from across the country to share promising practices and explore innovative approaches to youth employment, artificial intelligence, public-sector talent development, registered apprenticeships, career pathways, and economic mobility. Click here to access the full press release.
-
A pre-apprenticeship is a workforce preparation program designed to help individuals gain the skills, experience, and support they need to successfully enter and complete a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Think of it as an on-ramp. Pre-apprenticeship doesn’t replace apprenticeship—it prepares people for it. Typical programs run somewhere between 6 and 20 weeks and serve cohorts of 10 to 25 participants, though this varies by sector and region.This guide is designed for a broad range of partners who play complementary roles in apprenticeship systems, including but not limited to: Educators & Education Agencies; Employers & Apprenticeship Sponsors; Intermediaries; Workforce Development Boards (WDBs); and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Click here to access the full guide.
-
Today’s labor market is sending mixed signals. As AI adoption, new skill demands, and organizational restructuring drive significant change at both the organizational and employee levels, broader indicators of workforce growth are stalling. Workday’s latest Global Workforce Report, The Adaptability Advantage, underscores both sides of that tension. While employees are being asked to adapt to evolving role demands and expectations, new opportunities—both internal and external—are becoming harder to find. Click here to access the full article.
New From DOL/ETA
-
Sonderling has led the U.S. Department of Labor as Acting Secretary since April 2026. He previously served as Deputy Secretary of Labor after confirmation by the U.S. Senate in March 2025. President Donald J. Trump announced Sonderling’s nomination on June 29, and the Senate confirmed the nomination Sept. 30. Sonderling was officially sworn into office Oct. 2. Click here to access the full press release.
-
In the week ending October 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 197,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 197,000 to 199,000. The 4-week moving average was 198,000, a decrease of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average. Click here to access the full report.
Fact of the Week ---
According to the recently released Western Governors University report “Workforce Decoded 2026,” 60% of U.S. hiring professionals say AI has made it more difficult to evaluate candidates’ actual skills. The share of employers still determining how to assess AI skills effectively doubled from 16% in 2025 to 32% in 2026, as organizations invest in AI tools and workers face growing pressure to adapt.
Click here to access the full article.
