House Reauthorizes Workforce Programs in Historic Vote

It has been 16 years, but Congress passed legislation to reauthorize the nation’s workforce system. Following the Senate’s overwhelming 95–3 vote in June, the House voted 415–6 on July 9 to approve H.R. 803, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill will now go to President Barack Obama for his signature. The White House announced its support for the bill shortly before the Senate vote.

The act reauthorizes the adult, youth and dislocated worker programs as well as the public vocational rehabilitation program. Goodwill supported reauthorization of this critical legislation, as it preserves core job training programs and builds upon their strengths while making needed improvements. The bill enhances program alignment and collaboration, establishes common performance measures for adults across core programs, and increases employment opportunities for youth with disabilities.

Click here for more information about the major provisions in H.R. 803.