House Returns with Short Window to Pass CR
Washington Update
August 31, 2026
Appropriations
On Monday, August 31, House lawmakers return to Washington for a weeklong session with government funding at the top of the agenda, as Congress works to avoid a shutdown before the September 30 funding deadline. The House is expected to consider a bipartisan Senate-passed continuing resolution (CR) that would extend federal funding through December 11 — ensuring funding through the midterm elections.
In July, the House approved a separate CR that would have extended funding through December 4. The Senate subsequently approved a revised measure by a 90-6 vote on August 8. The Senate version maintains current funding levels with certain adjustments and includes provisions affecting federal financial assistance, including a temporary pause on implementation of proposed changes to Office of Management and Budget’s federal grant rules. The measure also includes language addressing the transfer of funding to Border Patrol and provides additional funding adjustments for programs including WIC, disaster relief and certain transportation programs.
The House must consider the Senate version before it is sent to President Trump. If the House does not approve a funding extension by September 30, federal agencies could face a lapse in appropriations.
Additionally, the House is expected to advance a resolution (HR 1490) that condemns and denounces socialism “in all its forms.” The resolution references New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election and other candidates affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. It also reaffirms support for the SAVE America Act, legislation concerning federal voter registration and election procedures that remains pending in the Senate. Lawmakers are expected to leave Washington again for the Labor Day recess after the weeklong session.
Click here to access the resolution HR 1490.
House Education and Workforce Subcommittee Hearings
On Tuesday, September 1, at 10:15 a.m. ET the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education will hold the hearing “Supporting Working Families: State-Led Child Care Solutions.”
Additionally, on Wednesday, September 2, at 10:15 a.m. ET the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold the hearing “Less Red Tape, More Opportunity: Unleashing American Workers and Job Creators.”
Click here to learn more and access a link to the hearing “Supporting Working Families: State-Led Child Care Solutions.
Click here to to learn more and access a link to the hearingLess Red Tape, More Opportunity: Unleashing American Workers and Job Creators
Head Start
On Thursday, August 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled the proposed new rule “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” which would significantly reduce federal requirements governing the Head Start program and provide additional flexibility to approximately 1,600 programs nationwide. The proposal would eliminate or modify many standards related to classroom group sizes, staff-to-child ratios, staff qualifications, background checks, and developmental screenings.
HHS says the changes are intended to reduce regulatory burdens, lower costs, give providers greater flexibility to respond to local needs, and expand program capacity. HHS estimates that changes to classroom ratios could allow Head Start providers to serve up to 236,000 additional children. The proposal has drawn concerns from some lawmakers and Head Start advocates about potential impacts on program quality, health and safety standards, and services for children with disabilities. Supporters argue that reducing federal requirements would give states and local providers greater flexibility in determining how programs operate. The proposed rule is open for public comment through October 6.
Click here to access the proposed rule.
USCM/WDC STAFF ANALYSIS
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Click here to read the entire August 31 weekly legislative update.
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Click here to access legislative updates from previous weeks.
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Click here to access the entire catalogue of WDC publications.
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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
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In times of economic hardship, people may seek quick reskilling as a path to more stable employment. Whether workers recently graduated high school or are seeking to move up the economic ladder, one area of employment to consider is what are called opportunity occupations: jobs that pay above the median wage but do not require a four-year college degree. Such jobs provide low- and moderate-income individuals opportunities to obtain employment that affords discretionary income, of which the lowest-earning 40% of U.S. households have little to none. Opportunity occupations can be found in various sectors of the economy; healthcare is an example. Click here to access the full article.
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This year, I’ve traveled 18,000 miles visiting 12 states across the country to learn how education and business leaders are strengthening the connection between learning and work. As employers struggle to find skilled workers and learners seek faster, more affordable pathways to good jobs, policymakers are refining what it means for a credential to have value.. Click here to access the full article.
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Most people probably associate the U.S. Census Bureau with the massive effort to count everyone in the country once every 10 years. But Census researchers are hardly sitting around waiting for the next decennial tally. The agency constantly surveys Americans about how they live, work and even play. The resulting information helps government agencies set policy, support programs and track how conditions across the country are changing. And lately, that changing world includes a lot of artificial intelligence. Click here to access the full article.
New From DOL/ETA
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On Tuesday, August 25, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released the Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) “Using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Reserve Funding to Advance Workforce Development Priorities.” This TEGL is intended to clarify how states may use Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) statewide funding (commonly referred to as “Governor’s Reserve” funding) and encourage states to expend available funding to advance critical workforce development priorities. Click here to access the full TEGL.
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On Tuesday, August 25, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released the Training and Employment Notice (TEN) “Promoting High-Quality Industry-Recognized Credentials.” This TEN is intended to assist the public workforce and education systems—including State Workforce Agencies (SWAs), Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs), Career and Technical Education (CTE) directors, employers, and post-secondary education and training providers—in understanding the importance of high-quality industry-recognized credentials. Click here to access the full TEN.
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In the week ending August 22, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 203,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 206,000 to 207,000. The 4-week moving average was 205,500, an increase of 1,250 from the previous week's revised average. Click here to access the full report.
Fact of the Week ---
According to the recently released DeBruce Foundation report “Career Literacy and Employment Security in the U.S.,” individuals with high career literacy consider about six potential jobs during a job search, compared with just two among those with low career literacy. The study also found that each unit increase in career literacy is associated with an approximately 10% greater likelihood of being employed, highlighting the role career literacy can play in strengthening employment security and economic opportunity.
Click here to access the full report.
