ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - April 20, 2026

Committee Markup of Partisan ASWA Legislation Tomorrow

Washington Update​

Appropriations

On Monday, April 13, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (OK) released the markup schedule for FY27 appropriations bills. Currently, subcommittee markup for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill is scheduled for Friday, June 5, at 8:00 a.m. ET while the full committee markup will be held on Tuesday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. ET. 

Click here to access the full markup schedule.

A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 

On Tuesday, April 21, at 10:15 a.m. ET the House Education and Workforce Committee is scheduled to markup the partisan legislation, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 (ASWA), which would reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), along with members of the Local Coalition representing local government and the local workforce system, have issued a letter in opposition to the current text of the partisan legislation.

Click here to learn more and access a livestream of the markup.

Click here to access the Local Coalition’s opposition letter. 

DOL ERISA Advisory Council 

On Tuesday, April 14, Congressmen Bobby Scott (VA) and Mark DeSaulnier (CA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito requesting an investigation into the handling of the ERISA Advisory Council. In the letter, they raise concerns about the council being inactive and the absence of meetings required under federal law. While several advisory panels were disbanded by DOL last year, the ERISA Advisory Council is statutorily mandated to continue operating.

Click here to access the letter.

House Budget Committee Hearing

On Wednesday, April 15, the House Budget Committee held a hearing on President Trump’s FY27 budget request with Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought testifying before the committee. During the hearing, Vought indicated that Congress may consider structural changes to the U.S. Department of Education (ED), including a potential redistribution of its functions across other federal agencies. He pointed to recent congressional actions on funding reallocations as evidence that broader changes to federal agencies could gain support.

Vought highlighted existing interagency agreements that shift administration of certain education programs as examples of how responsibilities could be managed outside a single department. 

During the hearing, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA) raised concerns about contingency plans if Congress does not act on proposals to eliminate ED. Vought emphasized that federal education funding would continue to be available, noting that the Administration’s budget request includes a reduction, but not elimination, of funding for education programs. 

Click here to access a video recording of the hearing.

House Education and Workforce Subcommittee Hearing

On Wednesday, April 15, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held the sixth hearing in a series examining artificial intelligence, titled “Building an AI-Ready America: Understanding AI’s Economic Impact on Workers and Employers.” Witnesses for the hearing included CHRO Association Senior Vice President Chatrane Birbal, Ogletree Deakins Shareholder Matthew Gizzo, We Build Progress Worker Power Director Sara Steffens, Advancing American Freedom Senior Research Fellow Rachel Greszler.  

Click here to access a video of the hearing.

Pell Grant Shortfall

Community college organizations are urging the Senate to increase funding for the Pell Grant program, which is projected to face a shortfall, as well as for workforce training grants, ahead of a deadline for lawmakers to submit funding requests. Higher education experts raised concerns that proposed reductions in the administration’s budget request could affect workforce development efforts at community colleges. They also highlighted proposals to eliminate programs supporting student parents and adult learners, noting the potential impacts on access to postsecondary education.

Additional concerns were raised about broader funding pressures affecting community colleges, including provisions tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Stakeholders also noted potential challenges associated with new Workforce Pell Grant eligibility requirements, particularly performance-based metrics related to earnings and program outcomes. Some experts indicated these measures may not fully reflect the range of students served by community colleges and could influence program availability and student pathways. 

Departments of Labor/Education Grant Competitions

On Thursday, April 16, the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL) and Education (ED) announced FY26 competitions for the Supporting Effective Educator Development Grant Program and the Charter Schools Program Grants to State Entities. This is part of an ongoing rollout of federal education grant opportunities, with additional competitions expected later this spring and summer.

As coordination between the two agencies continues, awards for these competitions will be administered through DOL’s GrantSolutions platform. These programs are intended to support educator development and expand education options.

Click here to access the full press release.

House Education and Workforce Committee Hearing 

On Friday, April 17, the House Education and Workforce Committee held the hearing “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services. During the hearing, lawmakers heard from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on his department’s priorities. 

Click here to learn more and watch a recap of the hearing.