ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - September 8, 2026

President Signs CR, Punting Budget Battle to December

Appropriations

On Wednesday, September 2, President Donald Trump signed a stopgap funding bill that averts a government shutdown and extends federal funding through December 11. The House had passed the continuing resolution (CR) on Tuesday, September 1, a vote of 370-48. Congress is now on recess, with both Chambers set to return Monday, September 14.Lawmakers in both parties are already discussing priorities for a December funding deal, including efforts to block the White House Office of Management and Budget’s plan to put political appointees in charge of approving federal grants. House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) both support completing final FY27 funding bills by the end of December. 

Click here to access the House press release on the passage of the CR.

House Education and Workforce Committee Leadership

On Tuesday, September 1, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT) indicated she is considering a bid to become the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee if Democrats win control of the House in the November midterm elections. Hayes would challenge current Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA), who has said he plans to seek the position again. The potential contest would determine who leads the committee’s Democrats and shapes the party’s education and workforce priorities and oversight agenda if Democrats take the majority. Hayes has called for a new education agenda and an assessment of changes to the U.S. Department of Education, while Scott has pointed to his legislative record and plans for continued oversight of the Department. 

Trump Administration Foundry School

On Thursday, September 3, the Trump Administration announced the launch of Foundry School, a workforce development program focused on training entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians, and industrial leaders for advanced manufacturing. The program is designed to address projected demand for an estimated 3.8 million skilled manufacturing workers by 2033 across industries including semiconductors, defense, and energy.

The program will include 17 sessions across eight universities, beginning with seven regional sessions in September 2026 and a 10-session core program at Stanford University beginning in January 2027. The curriculum will cover factory design, materials and supply chains, automation, workforce development, digital manufacturing, energy, and defense production. Foundry School will also involve industry leaders and participants from U.S. partner economies through the Pax Silica economic security partnership. 

Click here to access the full press release.

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 held the hearing “Supporting Working Families: State-Led Child Care Solutions.” Witnesses for the hearing included Assistant Commissioner for Child Care and Community Services at the Tennessee Department of Human Services Jude White; Director of Child Care at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Ryan Page; and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Kate Shanks. The hearing examined state and local approaches to expanding child care access and supporting working families and employers. Witnesses highlighted state investments in child care subsidies, efforts to expand the supply of care, employer involvement, and reducing regulatory barriers. Members also discussed the importance of giving states and communities flexibility to develop solutions based on local workforce and child care needs. 

Additionally, on Wednesday, September 2, at 10:15 a.m. ET the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held the hearing “Less Red Tape, More Opportunity: Unleashing American Workers and Job Creators.” Witnesses for the hearing included American Action Forum President Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin; Americans for Prosperity Employment Policy Fellow Austen Bannan; AFL-CIO Director of Occupational Safety and Health Rebecca L. Reindel; and National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Elizabeth Milito. The hearing examined the impact of federal regulations on workers and businesses, with witnesses and members discussing how regulatory requirements can affect hiring, investment, wages, and business growth. Members also discussed workplace safety, small-business compliance costs, and the balance between reducing regulatory burdens and protecting workers.

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 hearing Less Red Tape, More Opportunity: Unleashing American Workers and Job Creators

Unemployment Rate

On Friday, September 4, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the August unemployment report, showing that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent. The labor force participation rate edged up to 61.6 percent. Average hourly earnings for private-sector workers increased 0.3 percent over the month and 3.1 percent over the year. BLS also revised June and July payroll gains upward by a combined 55,000 jobs. The report was consistent with what Federal Reserve officials called a stable labor market, and likely turns the central bank’s focus to next week’s reports on consumer and producer prices as the final determination heading into the interest rate decision in less than two weeks.

Click here to access the full report.