This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the FY26 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill by a party-line vote of 35–28, echoing the subcommittee version passed on Sept. 2.

The committee’s decision to propose such drastic cuts to workforce development programs is deeply concerning and counterproductive to national economic priorities.

Make no mistake: the House bill decimates workforce development programs by slashing Title I State Grants by 63% and eliminating funding for Adult Basic Education, Youth, Re-entry, and Senior Employment initiatives. These programs serve individuals facing the greatest barriers to employment.

These programs are not mere budget lines—they are lifelines for individuals, businesses, and communities. They represent real opportunities for individuals seeking meaningful careers, for businesses needing skilled talent, and for communities striving for economic prosperity.

Workforce boards across the country are already doing more with less. This bill would force them to do the impossible with even less.

We are at a critical moment in our economy with 7.2 million unfilled jobs, and we need to get every potential worker into the labor force. The public workforce system is charged with engaging every American who wants to work, and working with employers to identify pathways to critical industries and the skills needed for success. Current workers desperately need support to continue developing their skills. Now is certainly not the time to reduce the investment in workforce development.

I am so proud of our hardworking workforce development community. The work is challenging, but the results are life changing. And the effect on local economies is clear: these programs see a strong return on investment generating $66 billion in annual earnings among those who are employed.

I urge every workforce development leader, advocate, and stakeholder to contact their members of Congress today.

Tell them the public workforce system is not expendable—it is essential.

Tell them we applaud the Senate Appropriations Committee’s version of the Labor-HHS-Education bill, which passed in the committee on July 31 by a widely bipartisan vote of 26-3. It may not be a perfect bill, but it is miles ahead of the product of the House Appropriations Committee.

Tell them your success stories. Share your data.

Tell them to reject these draconian cuts and instead invest in the future of America’s workforce. Our economy, our communities, and our people deserve nothing less.