ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - September 15, 2025

Stopgap Negotiations Begin

Washington Update

Appropriations

On Thursday, September 11, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (OK) confirmed the lower chamber plans to vote on a “clean” CR at some point this week that would extend government funding through November 20, but it is unlikely to pass the Senate before next week’s recess. Efforts to pass a short-term CR could face complications as House Republican leaders push to include increased security funding for lawmakers following the killing of Charlie Kirk. On Sunday, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA) said all options remain on the table and promised to expedite a review of a pilot program that provides individual lawmakers with additional safety resources. Similar discussions are underway in the Senate. Cole described the funding talks as improving and headed in a positive direction but Democrats from both chambers have insisted on bipartisan negotiations before they will support any funding deal. Democrats have also signaled that any funding deal needs to include an extension of enhanced tax credits for Affordable Care Act premiums, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

Prior to discussion of the CR, following a two-day markup, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the Labor-HHS -Education funding bill. The legislation proposes steep cuts, including a $4 billion reduction to the Department of Labor (DOL), a one-third cut to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the elimination of several Labor offices such as the Women’s Bureau, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. It also halves funding for Job Corps. Republicans attached policy riders restricting DOL’s ability to implement recent regulatory actions, while Democrats warned the reductions would weaken worker protections and job training programs. The committee report highlights concerns about the DOL’s grantmaking under the previous administration, noting it did not sufficiently focus on high-wage, high-growth occupations.

Within the education portion of the bill, appropriators proposed a $12 billion cut to the Department of Education but maintained the maximum Pell Grant award and continued funding for programs like TRIO. Democrats offered numerous unsuccessful amendments to restore funding for Title I schools, block the renaming of the Workforce Pell Grant, and preserve labor oversight functions. One bipartisan amendment was adopted to prevent the closure of Job Corps centers without assurances it would not increase youth unemployment or strain state and local governments.

Government funding expires in 15 days, with the main debate now centered on the length of the stopgap measure. Fiscal conservatives and the White House support extending current funding levels into January or beyond with the Administration requesting a continuing resolution (CR) through January 31. Democrats and some Republicans prefer a shorter extension to allow time for bipartisan negotiations, as outlined above. 

House and Senate negotiators have begun bipartisan, bicameral talks with the emerging strategy to finalize three bills — Agriculture-FDA, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-VA — with new funding levels, while extending current budgets for the other nine bills through a short-term CR. If conference negotiators can finalize those measures, they could be attached to the short-term patch as lawmakers continue work on the remaining nine appropriations bills.

Click here to access the committee report.

Click here to access the press release on the Labor-HHS-Education bill.

Departments of Labor & Education Workforce Partnership

On Monday, September 8, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Labor (DOL) announced the next steps in their partnership to integrate federal education and workforce development programs. The initiative, first formalized through an interagency agreement in May, designates DOL as the lead administrator for certain workforce programs while ED retains statutory and oversight responsibilities. As part of the plan, an unspecified number of ED staff will be detailed to DOL to support programs such as adult education, literacy, and career and technical education (CTE). Funding for these programs will remain under the Department of Education’s authority, with periodic transfers to DOL to cover administration.

The agencies also launched an integrated state plan portal designed to simplify how states develop and manage four-year workforce development plans. By aligning grants and payment systems, the effort seeks to reduce administrative burdens and streamline access to funding. The move has drawn criticism from some congressional Democrats, who argue that shifting responsibility for career, technical, and adult education programs to DOL oversteps statutory limits and undermines the Department of Education’s role. Both departments indicated they will continue providing guidance to states and grantees as the changes are implemented.

Click here to read the full press release from the Department of Labor.

Click here to read the full press release from the Department of Education.

Department of Labor Nominees

This week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD) plans to bring more than 40 stalled executive branch nominees to the floor, including the nominee to lead the Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration. Daniel Aronowitz, who was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in June, remains among those awaiting confirmation. Republican leaders are preparing a procedural vote that Democrats are expected to oppose, which could lead the majority to change Senate rules to speed up consideration of non-Cabinet nominees. If the rules are adjusted, Aronowitz and others could be confirmed early this week.

H-2A Visas

The Trump administration is advancing changes to the H-2A visa program for seasonal agricultural workers, sparking opposition from both labor advocates and immigration restriction groups. The Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed an interim final rule revising the methodology for the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, which sets the minimum pay for H-2A workers, though details and a timeline for implementation remain unclear.

Critics across the political spectrum warn the changes could lower wages for migrant workers, making it harder to attract U.S. farm labor while reducing paychecks for foreign workers already in the program. Supporters of the reforms, including agricultural employers, argue that recent wage increases have been unsustainable and that adjustments are needed to stabilize farm labor costs.

The agriculture industry has long relied on migrant workers to address labor shortages in harvesting, livestock, and food processing. The debate reflects broader divisions within the administration between those advocating for strict immigration limits and those seeking to balance labor supply with the economic pressures facing farmers.

The H-2A program has historically drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum: labor advocates contend it undercuts U.S. wages, while immigration hawks argue it fosters reliance on foreign workers. The current proposal highlights that tension, with farm groups seeking lower costs, opponents warning of harm to domestic workers, and the administration signaling plans to finalize new wage levels by the end of the year.