The Latest

On Tuesday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee approved H.R. 8210, A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 (ASWA 2026) by a party line vote of 19-14.

As we have previously reported, the bill would reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and reflects many provisions included in earlier versions of the bill considered in 2024.

During the markup, several amendments were offered by Democrats:

• Ranking Member Bobby Scott offered a substitute amendment to replace the text of HR 8210 with the 2024 committee-passed version of the bill. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 14-18.
• Ranking Member Scott also offered an amendment that would require a competitive bidding process for registered apprenticeship grants. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 14-19.
• Rep. Alma Adams offered an amendment to keep Title II Adult Education programs at the Department of Education, using language from the 2024 committee-passed bill. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 14-19.
• Rep. Suzanne Bonamici offered an amendment to prohibit the use of Interagency Agreements (IAAs), such as ones that have been issued by the Administration moving parts of the Department of Education to other federal agencies, including the Department of Labor. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 14-19.
• Rep. John Mannion offered an amendment to reduce the number of states that can seek waivers to consolidate – from 10 states, as stated in HR 8210, to a pilot of 5 states, as the 2024 bill called for. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 14-19.

While NAWB supports a thoughtful, modernized WIOA reauthorization, we—along with our national partners—have significant concerns with the current bill. As stated in the joint letter submitted by NACo, NAWB, NLC, USCM, and USWA, WIOA is “a critical tool that empowers local governments, workforce boards and other vital local stakeholders to connect individuals with in‑demand skills training and education needed by employers,” and any reauthorization must “balance the needs of workers, learners, employers and their communities.” The letter also warns that the bill’s proposed funding levels “would undermine the public workforce system’s ability to respond to significant changes in the economy and labor markets precipitated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

NAWB CEO Andrew Bercich underscored this point, noting: “Local workforce boards are on the front lines of helping workers and employers adapt to rapid economic change. Any WIOA reauthorization must strengthen—not weaken—the resources and flexibility needed to serve communities effectively.”

For a deeper look at the implications of ASWA 2026 and how stakeholders can engage, we encourage you to read Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied’s blog post, “Why the A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026 Falls Short—and Why Your Voice Matters Now“

NAWB will continue to work with Committee members, staff, and partners as the bill moves to the House floor and will provide updates as the legislative process continues.