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ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - March 17, 2025

Washington Update

Appropriations


On Saturday, March 15, President Donald Trump signed the continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through the end of September after it cleared the Senate Friday on a vote of 54-46, with 10 Senate Democrats helping advance the bill despite opposition from within their party. The legislation largely keeps government funding at levels set during President Joe Biden’s term but trims non-defense spending by about $13 billion from the previous year and increases defense spending by about $6 billion. 


On Tuesday, March 11, in a vote of 217-213, House Republicans had narrowly passed their full-year FY25 continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding through September 30 and then left town for a recess — leaving Senate Democrats few options. Many Democrats had been opposed to the CR due to the non-defense cuts and the GOP’s refusal to include language putting guardrails on Trump and Elon Musk’s ability to continue dismantling the federal government and advocated for a shorter, four-week stopgap to work on a more bipartisan package. Ultimately, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) decided a shutdown would be worse — empowering Trump and Musk to potentially make further cuts to government agencies — and supported the CR.


The bill maintains FY24 funding levels but includes key changes, such as increased defense spending, immigration enforcement, and cuts to some non-defense programs. It eliminates FY24 earmarks and omits $15.9 billion in earmarks from the 2025 appropriations bills. Additionally, it reclaims $20.2 billion in IRS funds from the 2022 tax-climate-health law and extends expiring programs like the National Flood Insurance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The resolution also prohibits funding for activities banned by FY24 laws, such as grants to Chinese-controlled entities or gas stove bans. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (OK) said it is a "straightforward" measure to keep the government operational. 


The CR increases funding for several Department of Labor programs, including providing: $3.1 billion from the Unemployment Trust Fund for grants to states to administer state unemployment insurance laws and $636 million for Bureau of Labor Statistics salaries. It permanently rescinds $75 million in unobligated funds provided in FY24 to the Employment and Training Administration for the dislocated workers assistance national reserve and eliminates earmarked funds provided in fiscal 2024, including: $202.3 million for higher education programs and $107.8 million for pilot projects to support the employment and training needs of dislocated workers, adults, or youth.


Click here to access the full bill text.


Click here to access a section-by-section summary.

Department of Labor


On Monday, March 10, the Senate confirmed Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor with a 67-32 vote. Over a dozen Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the former House member, who earned backing from labor unions and business groups. Chavez-DeRemer takes charge of DOL as the Trump administration pushes for significant cuts and deregulation at the agency. Her confirmation was more contentious than expected, with criticism over her support for the PRO act. Republican Senators Rand Paul (KY), Mitch McConnell (KY), and Ted Budd (NC) opposed her confirmation. In her first week, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer swiftly appointed key staff to the department, including Amy Simon as principal deputy assistant secretary at the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Amanda Wood Laihow as deputy assistant secretary at the Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration (OSHA), and Michael Asplen as senior policy adviser at OSHA. 


The Senate still needs to confirm Henry Mack III to head ETA and David Keeling to lead OSHA. On Wednesday, March 12, the Senate voted along party lines to confirm Keith Sonderling as deputy Labor Secretary.

Department of Education


On Tuesday, March 11, the U.S. Department of Education announced a reduction in force (RIF), bringing its workforce down to 2,183 employees, from 4,133. Nearly 600 workers retired or accepted voluntary resignations, while about 1,300 are on administrative leave. Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify further cuts and explore replacing workers with AI and technology in some cases. The Department stated it will continue to fulfill all statutory programs, including Pell Grants and competitive grantmaking. It also released an organizational chart showing which offices will be impacted by the staff cuts. The Department is one of the first federal agencies to announce RIF plans following President Trump’s push to reduce the federal workforce.


Additionally, on Monday, March 10, U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s decision to terminate $600 million in teacher-preparation grants, affecting states like California, Illinois, and New York. The ruling reinstates $14.7 million for apprenticeship programs at Reach University in Louisiana and Arkansas. The administration had canceled the grants, claiming they funded programs promoting diversity or discriminated based on race. Judge Joun ruled that halting the grants would disrupt years of program investment and ordered the Department of Education to restore them for at least 14 days. It remains unclear how long the injunction will last or if it will extend beyond the eight states where the legal challenge was filed.


Click here to access the Department of Education organizational chart of staff cuts.


Click here to access the press release on the RIF.

Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act


On Monday, March 10, Senator Jim Banks (IN) introduced the Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act, which amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to require state workforce development plans to prioritize funding for evidence-based job programs with proven positive outcomes for their communities. Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN) is introducing companion legislation in the House. The legislation defines “evidence-based” as programs that must show statistically significant impact based on strong, moderate, or promising research evidence and it encourages activities to be backed by high-quality research and evaluations that suggest positive outcomes.


Click here to access the press release and full bill text.


Care Across Generations Act


Earlier this month, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA) re-introduced the Care Across Generations Act (HR 1812), which amends the Older Americans Act to provide resources to create and maintain childcare programs within assisted living communities, nursing homes, board and care facilities, adult care homes, and similar settings. The legislation would provide grants to enable residential long-term care providers to offer on-site childcare centers or partner with nearby childcare facilities to promote intergenerational connection between residents and children. 


Click here to read more about the legislation and access the full bill text.

 
 
 

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