A more detailed version of President Trump’s FY26 budget proposal was released late Friday and proposes to cut $4.6 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)–a 35% cut over currently enacted levels. This is the same proposal that was shared in the initial budget request released on May 2 but with a greater amount of detail regarding how this vision for the Department would be advanced.

The Administration proposes to combine nearly a dozen existing workforce development programs into a single programmatic grant to states with few guardrails and requirements for how workforce development funds should be spent. The proposal formally begins the wider Congressional budget and appropriations process for FY26.

Brad Turner-Little, president and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, made the following statement:

“The public workforce system is the backbone of nearly every community in America—driving business growth, creating life-changing employment opportunities, and injecting billions into local economies while reducing reliance on public assistance. The administration’s proposal to eliminate and slash federal investments in workforce development would be catastrophic. It dismantles legislative requirements that ensure employers have a vital leadership role in shaping workforce programs and eliminates essential safeguards that guarantee all communities—including those facing the greatest challenges—receive the support they need. This reckless proposal threatens to erode economic opportunity, weaken local businesses, and abandon millions of employers and job seekers when they need it most.”

“It will take all of us – especially business leaders who serve on these workforce boards – to help Congress understand why these proposals will devastate the public workforce system and the communities that depend on these vital services.”

Use NAWB’s tools to send a message to Congress today.

  1. Download our template letter for business leaders to send to Congress.
  2. Contact your member of Congress and let them know how you serve your community
  3. Arrange a Site Visit to help your members of Congress understand your work on a deeper level.