House Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on WIOA
Washington Update
Appropriations
On Tuesday, February 25, House Republicans passed the Concurrent Resolution on the budget for Fiscal Year 2025 by a narrow vote of 217-215. The resolution increases funding for border security programs by $200 billion, allocated to the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees. However, the House budget faces strong opposition in the Senate, particularly regarding proposed Medicaid cuts, which are expected to be significant points of contention. The House and Senate (which passed a smaller bill last week), will now convene a Conference Committee to reconcile their differences.The Senate resolution emphasizes increased defense and border security spending without including tax provisions. In contrast, the House resolution includes reconciliation instructions for $4.5 trillion to revise the 2017 tax bill and implement new tax incentives. It also mandates $2 trillion in spending cuts over ten years, including $880 billion from the Energy and Commerce Committee (likely targeting Medicaid and health care programs), $230 billion from the Agriculture Committee (potentially affecting food programs like SNAP), and $330 billion from the Education and Labor Committee. Other committees must identify $562 billion in additional cuts, with discretion over how to allocate these reductions.
Passage of the House budget initiates the reconciliation process, requiring the House-Senate Conference Committee to reach an agreement before the respective committees draft a final reconciliation bill for a vote.Amid ongoing bipartisan negotiations, concerns about a potential government shutdown or the need for a full-year stopgap measure persist. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (ME) was directed by GOP leaders to draft a stopgap funding measure through September to prevent a shutdown after the March 14 deadline. This plan was discussed with President Donald Trump by Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD), both of whom expressed support. Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray (WA) emphasized that Democrats want assurances the White House will uphold any funding agreements.Thune indicated that Republicans will prioritize addressing the shutdown deadline before advancing Trump's policy agenda through reconciliation, which is currently on hold. GOP leaders have rejected Democratic demands to use a funding bill to block President Trump’s withholding of congressionally appropriated funds, despite ongoing legal challenges. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (OK) affirmed the GOP’s firm stance, stating, “We’re not moving.” While both sides remain in negotiations, concerns about a potential government shutdown persist. Cole noted that both parties are "pretty close" on funding levels but described the Democratic proposal as "unacceptable."On Friday, February 28, less than two weeks before the March 14 funding deadline, Murray and House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT) criticized GOP leaders for abandoning bipartisan negotiations, increasing the risk of a shutdown. Their joint statement follows President Trump’s endorsement of a temporary government funding bill through September. They also condemned Republican leaders for considering cuts from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for inclusion in the funding bill, which could complicate negotiations and heighten shutdown risks. In the Senate, the "current policy baseline" approach to measuring the cost of extending 2017 tax cuts faces opposition. Majority Leader John Thune is discussing it with the parliamentarian, while Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) raised concerns at a White House meeting, despite supporting the tactic.
House Education and Workforce Committee Hearing
On Wednesday, March 5, at 10:15 am ET, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will hold the hearing “Strengthening WIOA: Improving Outcomes for America’s Workforce.” Witnesses for the hearing include President, Board of Directors for National Youth Employment Coalition Robert Sainz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Strada Education Foundation Dr. Stephen Moret, Senior Vice President of Workforce and Careers at Ivy Tech Community College Molly Dodge, and Director of the Office of Education and Workforce Transformation for the Office of the Governor of Alabama Nicholas J. Moore.
Click here to access the livestream of the hearing.
Department of Labor Secretary Nomination
On Thursday, February 27, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) voted 14-9 to advance former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer's nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). She secured support from three Democrats — Senators Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), and John Hickenlooper (CO) — who backed her because of her previous support for the PRO Act, helping to offset a 'no' vote from Senator Rand Paul (KY), who opposed her for the same reason. Kaine met privately with Chavez-DeRemer after her confirmation hearing and was satisfied with her clear stance that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board should maintain quorums while Hassan said she was swayed by Chavez- DeRemer's strong union support despite policy differences. Chavez-DeRemer, who acknowledged her past support for the bill but then emphasized her support for right-to-work laws, now heads to the Senate floor. Despite potential opposition from some Republicans, she is expected to be confirmed.
Department of Education Secretary
On Thursday, February 27, U.S. Department of Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon moved closer to confirmation after the Senate advanced her nomination in a 51-47 party-line vote. The final confirmation vote is scheduled for today.
Earlier this month, McMahon faced questions about President Donald Trump's proposal to close the Education Department. McMahon, a former Small Business Administration leader and Trump loyalist, pledged to implement the president’s agenda while emphasizing that Congress would be involved in decisions about the department’s future. During her confirmation hearing, McMahon confirmed that Congress would continue to appropriate funds for education programs. However, in written responses to Democratic senators, she did not commit to maintaining the department’s role in managing federal student aid and support for historically Black colleges and universities.
Department of Labor
On Wednesday, February 26, John Ladd, head of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) apprenticeship office, informed agency staff and members of the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship that the committee had been disbanded as part of the Trump administration's effort to reduce non-statutory government bodies. Ladd announced that the panel was terminated on February 20, ending the roles of nearly 30 advisors.
The committee had provided guidance on improving and expanding apprenticeship programs to address workforce shortages. Committee member Taylor White called the decision "a real disappointment," expressing concern about the administration’s future support for apprenticeships. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s nominee for Labor Secretary, recently told the Senate HELP Committee that she supports apprenticeships and aims to expand them.
Other DOL advisory panels have also been affected, including the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, and two Bureau of Labor Statistics expert panels, all of which were terminated on February 20. These actions align with the Trump administration’s ongoing push to eliminate non-essential government bodies through executive orders and directives.On Thursday, February 27, Keith Sonderling, Trump’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of Labor, faced scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing for not knowing how many DOL staffers had recently been laid off, despite having worked there since last month. Sonderling, a senior adviser to acting Labor Secretary Vince Micone, explained that he is not involved in firing decisions, as they are handled by other staff. He also declined to comment on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, citing ongoing litigation. However, Sonderling emphasized the independence of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and pledged to ensure it has the resources to provide accurate economic data following a major revision of employment figures last year.The Senate HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on Sonderling’s nomination this Thursday.
Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025
On Tuesday, February 25, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH), John Hoeven (ND), and Jerry Moran (KS) introduced the bipartisan Air Traffic Control (ATC) Workforce Development Act of 2025 to address staffing shortages, improve working conditions for controllers, and ensure the safety of U.S. airspace. The bill builds on years of collaboration between Senators Shaheen and Hoeven to support the ATC workforce. Earlier this month, following the tragic aviation collision at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), the Senators urged the FAA to work urgently with Congress to address staffing issues.
The legislation strengthens the ATC workforce by expanding training programs, improving recruitment and retention, and supporting mental health services. It enhances the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program with $20 million annually for grants to AT-CTI schools for curriculum, simulators, faculty, and resources. The bill also removes barriers for retired controllers to serve as instructors and expands the program to include more schools and authorizes the installation of Tower Simulator Systems at ATC facilities to speed up certification and directs the FAA to develop recruitment and retention programs. Additionally, it supports mental health services tailored to air traffic controllers' unique challenges. The legislation is backed by key industry groups.
Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing
On Wednesday, February 26, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held the hearing “Federal Investments in Elementary Education.” The Subcommittee examined policies and resources that impact elementary schools and academic success. Witnesses for the hearing included Director of the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies Virginia Gentles, Director of the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage FoundationDr. Lindsey Burke, Executive Director at the Education Law Center Robert Kim and President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Starlee Coleman.
Click here to access a recording of the hearing.
Gold Card Visa
On Tuesday, February 25, President Donald Trump announced the launch of a new “Gold Card” visa program, offering wealthy foreigners the opportunity to live and work in the U.S. and providing a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment. The program is intended to replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa, which allows foreign investors to invest in U.S. projects to create jobs and qualify for a green card. Trump indicated that the Gold Card would provide green card privileges along with a route to citizenship, with the sales of the cards set to begin in about two weeks.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick clarified that applicants will undergo vetting to ensure they are suitable candidates. The EB-5 program required a minimum investment of $1 million (or $800,000 in economically distressed areas), but the new Gold Card program increases the investment threshold to $5 million, with no job creation requirement. Unlike the EB-5 program, which linked investor contributions to job creation, the Gold Card program focuses on investment alone.
This change marks a shift in U.S. immigration policy by prioritizing investments from ultra-wealthy individuals rather than skilled workers. The Gold Card program does not provide a direct solution for employers facing talent shortages in industries like tech, engineering, or healthcare, as it is designed for investors, not skilled professionals. Skilled foreign workers, such as software developers or engineers, are not the intended recipients of the $5 million visa.
The removal of the EB-5 program also eliminates an alternative pathway for skilled workers to bypass visa backlogs, which could leave them more reliant on employer sponsorship. This change may also affect the U.S.'s position in the global talent marketplace, where countries like Canada and the U.K. are known for attracting skilled workers through efficient immigration policies. The U.S.'s focus on wealth-based immigration may lead some highly educated professionals to seek quicker, more affordable alternatives elsewhere. Countries such as Greece, Spain, and Portugal have programs similar to the Gold Card visa, which were primarily launched to offset budget challenges.
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