ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - June 9, 2025

Secretaries Chavez-DeRemer and McMahon Testify on Labor and Education Agendas

Appropriations

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (OK) plans to release topline spending totals for FY26 as early as this week. He has set an ambitious goal for the House to pass all 12 appropriations bills before the August recess, though GOP leadership is still in the early stages of timeline discussions. On Thursday, June 5, House appropriators began rolling out FY26 spending bills in advance of the first markups. Among the first to be released are the Military Construction–Veterans Affairs and Agriculture–FDA bills, the latter of which proposes a more than a 4% cut from current funding levels.

Departments of Labor and Education Hearings

Department of Labor

On Thursday, June 5, the House Education and Workforce Committee held the “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor,” during which U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer testified on a range of issues, including workforce development, regulatory actions, and program administration. Chavez-DeRemer defended the Department’s plan to phase out the Job Corps program, citing concerns about its sustainability. The proposal has drawn pushback from lawmakers in both parties — with nearly 200 members of the House signing a letter urging the DOL to preserve and strengthen the program, citing its value in developing a skilled workforce. She declined to take a clear position on the future of 14(c) waivers, which permit subminimum wages for workers with disabilities, and noted that several states are already addressing the issue independently. On occupational safety, Chavez-DeRemer stated that DOL is continuing its review of a potential OSHA heat safety standard but did not commit to a timeline, referencing the ongoing rulemaking process. 

Committee members raised questions about apprenticeship expansion, employer-sponsored health coverage, artificial intelligence, and barriers to workforce participation such as child care and training costs. Chavez-DeRemer highlighted efforts to modernize labor programs and stated the Department is working toward reaching one million registered apprentices. Lawmakers also discussed region-specific concerns, including seasonal labor programs and access to job training in underserved communities. 

The hearing reflected broader debates over the Department’s direction, with differing perspectives on program funding, policy enforcement, and the role of federal oversight in workforce development.

On Friday, June 6, 40 Democratic senators wrote a letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer asking her to answer seven questions about the Administration’s pausing of Job Corps operations following her comments about the program during the hearing.

Click here to access the House letter.

Click here to access the Senate letter.

Click here to access the Department of Labor hearing.

Department of Education

On Wednesday, June 4, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing titled “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education.” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon outlined the administration’s proposed FY26 reforms and defended the budget plan, which includes a 15.3% reduction in federal education spending. She emphasized efforts to expand school choice, support charter schools, and reform Pell Grants to better align education with workforce needs. She also stressed the importance of reducing regulatory burdens to allow more direct funding to states and local schools.

Committee members raised questions about the Department’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); student loan reforms; and oversight of higher education institutions. The administration’s budget proposal includes cuts to the maximum Pell Grant and eliminates funding for TRIO and GEAR UP programs. While the Secretary cited concerns about oversight and program effectiveness, lawmakers from both parties advocated for continued funding, referencing positive outcomes for students served by these initiatives. The hearing reflected broader debates about the federal role in education. While the administration presented its approach as a shift toward greater state control, some lawmakers expressed concern about continued federal influence over school and campus decision-making.

A day earlier, on Tuesday, June 3, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing titled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Education.” Secretary McMahon testified before the Subcommittee, where members from both parties voiced concerns over the proposed elimination of federal TRIO programs, which support disadvantaged students preparing for college. The nearly $1.2 billion cut would effectively end all eight TRIO initiatives, including Talent Search and Upward Bound. While Secretary McMahon acknowledged the programs’ potential impact, she cited challenges with measuring effectiveness and ensuring accountability. Several senators urged the administration to work with Congress to strengthen oversight rather than eliminate funding altogether.

Click here to access the Department of Education House hearing.

Click here to access the Department of Education Senate hearing.

Senate HELP Committee Hearing on Nominees

On Thursday, June 5, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to consider four of President Donald Trump’s nominees for senior roles at the Departments of Education and Labor. The nominees are Penny Schwinn for Deputy Secretary of Education; Kimberly Richey for Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education; Daniel Aronowitz for Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration; and David Keeling for Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Schwinn brings a background in state-level education leadership, having served as Tennessee’s education commissioner and in senior roles in Texas and Delaware. She registered an educational consulting business in Florida after her nomination, which, while inactive, may prompt ethical questions during the confirmation process.

Richey previously served as acting head of the Education Department’s civil rights office during the Trump administration. In that role, she was closely involved in the department’s interpretation of Title IX, particularly in relation to recent court decisions on LGBTQ+ rights.

During the hearing, Schwinn and Richey both faced scrutiny from Senate Democrats on the Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. In particular, Richey faced questions on how the Office of Civil Rights would address protections for LGBTQ+ students and handle civil rights complaints amid reduced staffing. Republicans emphasized issues related to local control of education and other conservative priorities. Richey underscored a commitment to combating antisemitism on campuses, potentially through new Title VI guidance or regulations. Schwinn expressed support for expanding school choice and increasing transparency for parents about educational options. She also aligned with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education.

Keeling’s nomination has drawn support from business groups and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, though some labor advocates have raised concerns about his prior executive roles at UPS and Amazon — companies that incurred OSHA penalties during his tenure. Despite these concerns, his confirmation appears likely. Keeling would play a key role in directing OSHA amid proposed budget cuts. Senate Democrats raised objections as part of broader concerns regarding funding and staffing reductions at the Department of Labor.

Click here to access a video of the hearing.

Department of Education

On Friday, June 6, the U.S. Department of Education informed employees that those placed on administrative leave in March as part of a large-scale reduction in force (RIF) would not be formally terminated as planned. This announcement followed a federal judge’s April ruling that blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with the terminations, which the court viewed as an attempt to dismantle the department without congressional approval. The administration appealed the decision to the Supreme Court on Friday.

In response to the court’s order, the department is developing a plan to reintegrate affected employees. As part of this process, the agency has asked those impacted to voluntarily report any outside employment or job offers accepted since March. The department is also working to determine how many employees remain available to return to work.

Additionally, the Administration has appointed new political staff to key roles. Nicholas Moore, Alabama’s former workforce director, will become deputy assistant secretary for career, technical, and adult education. Casey K. Sacks, a former deputy assistant secretary for community colleges, will advise on workforce and artificial intelligence policy. Lindsey Burke, formerly of The Heritage Foundation, will serve as deputy chief of staff for policy and programs. Jeffrey Andrade, a former senior staffer on the House education committee, has been named deputy assistant secretary for policy in the Office of Postsecondary Education. Christopher McCaghren, who previously served in the department, will return as deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs. Jason Delisle, a well-known higher education finance expert, will serve as chief economist and senior adviser in the Office of the Under Secretary. Meir Katz, a former senior civil rights counsel, will return as a senior civil rights adviser.

Unemployment Rate

On Friday, June 6, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the May unemployment report, which showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 139,000, slightly more than the 129,000 economists predicted, with the unemployment rate holding at 4.2%. Revisions from March and April showed the U.S. labor market added 95,000 fewer jobs than initially reported. A more encompassing measure that includes discouraged workers and the underemployed also was unchanged at 7.8%. Nearly half of the job growth came from health care, which added 62,000. Leisure and hospitality contributed to 48,000 while social assistance added 16,000.

Click here to access the full report.

Click here to access Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s statement on the May jobs report.