Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling appeared on Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor–HHS–Education to justify the Administration’s FY27 budget request and outline its vision for the nation’s workforce system.
MASA Block Grant Takes Center Stage
Sonderling highlighted the Administration’s signature workforce proposal, the Make America Skilled Again (MASA) block grant, as the cornerstone of its FY27 request. He described MASA as a streamlined, state‑driven funding model intended to:
Subcommittee Democrats expressed skepticism about the overall effectiveness of the MASA block grant proposal and questioned whether it would lead to more people in training. There was additional criticism concerning the funding cut to workforce development programs given the increasing employer and industry demand for skilled workers. Whether it was Job Corps or WIOA programs, there was a bipartisan sentiment that the Administration mischaracterized the performance and impact of workforce development programs.
Bipartisan Pushback on Job Corps Elimination
Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) underscored the Administration’s proposal to eliminate Job Corps, citing the strong performance and community value of centers in her home state of Maine. While DOL defended the proposal by pointing to cost and performance challenges, senators from both parties expressed skepticism and emphasized Job Corps’ unique role in providing residential training, wraparound supports, and pathways for disconnected youth.
Broad Support for Apprenticeships—With Questions About Implementation
Subcommittee Ranking Member Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) noted that “expanding apprenticeships is one area where we can all agree.” Sonderling reiterated the Administration’s goal of accelerating apprenticeship expansion and aligning federal investments with employer demand.
Additional Issues Raised
Senators also questioned DOL on several cross‑cutting issues, including the proposal to move the Bureau of Labor Statistics to the Department of Commerce, OSHA enforcement and workplace safety, inflation and job creation trends, mine safety, and temporary work visas, particularly for the agricultural industry.
What This Means for Workforce Boards
While the FY27 budget request reflects the Administration’s priorities, Congress will ultimately determine funding levels and program structure. NAWB will continue to analyze the implications of MASA, the proposed elimination of Job Corps, and other major structural changes as appropriations and authorizing discussions advance.
NAWB will keep members informed as additional details emerge and will continue advocating for strong, stable federal investments in the public workforce system.
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