The White House and congressional leaders have reached a tentative agreement to fund government programs and activities for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, though it may not be enough to avoid another government shutdown.
READ MORE from Congress Seeks 2026 Funding Amid Looming Shutdown
This week is National Digital Inclusion Week 2025, an annual event to spotlight the importance of digital equity and to advance essential digital skills, digital literacy, and affordable internet access for those who need it most. As the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence continues to reshape
READ MORE from Invest in Community-Driven Solutions to Bridge the Digital Divide
After months of uncertainty regarding the continuation of federal agency funding into the new fiscal year, the anticipated government shutdown has officially begun. On Tuesday, the Senate rejected both a House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) that would have kept the government operational through November 21, and an alternative proposal from Senate Democrats. As a result, the government was forced to shut down when funding for the current fiscal year expired at midnight.
This week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The annual spending measure proposes funding levels for many of the federal workforce development programs that help support the training and employment services offered by local Goodwill® organizations.
READ MORE from Major Reductions in Workforce Funding Proposed by House
Congress has returned to DC after a lengthy summer break. Goodwill® organizations from around the country hosted members of their Congressional delegations and key committee staff, allowing them to see the Goodwill mission in action. Those conversations with employees and program participants will inform decisions lawmakers have to make in the weeks and months ahead.
The Departments of Labor, Education and Commerce released America's Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age, as instructed by President Trump’s Executive Order, Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trades Jobs of the Future.
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Before adjourning for a month-long August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted this week to advance its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.
This week, the White House released America’s AI Action Plan, which outlines the Trump Administration’s strategy to accelerate AI innovation, build an AI infrastructure and promote the adoption of AI across industry sectors. The multi-agency plan includes several components on workforce development. The Department of the Treasury is instructed to issue guidance clarifying that many AI literacy and AI skill development programs may qualify as eligible educational assistance under the Internal Revenue Code, allowing employers to offer tax free AI training for employees.
This week marks an important anniversary for the landmark federal law supporting older Americans. The Older Americans Act (OAA), which was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965, established a wide range of social support and health-related services and programs for older adults. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), authorized by Title V of OAA, supports states and nonprofit organizations in connecting low-income individuals who are age 55 and over with training and employment opportunities.
READ MORE from Older Americans Act Turns 60 as Funding for Older Workers is Delayed
Recently, the White House asked Congress to approve $9.4 billion in rescissions for already approved spending that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sought to eliminate, including funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid. While no funding for workforce or education programs was included in this request, White House officials indicated that they hope to build support on Capitol Hill for their efforts to cut “wasteful” government spending and that the Administration may seek additional recissions of existing program funds in the future.
READ MORE from White House Seeks Approval for “DOGE” Cuts; Hints at More to Come
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon have been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to pitch lawmakers on President Trump’s priorities for workforce development and education. Both Chavez-DeRemer and McMahon recently appeared before congressional committees of the House and Senate to discuss the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget, though the Administration has not yet released a detailed budget plan for federal agencies and activities.
READ MORE from Trump Cabinet Defends President’s Budget Plan on Capitol Hill
Congressional Republicans are attempting to pass a tax and spending reconciliation bill, however first they must reconcile their differences. Budget reconciliation is a congressional procedure that allows for expedited consideration of certain tax, mandatory spending, and debt limit legislation. The reconciliation process will allow the bill to pass with a simple majority and avoid a filibuster in the Senate.
READ MORE from Lawmakers Attempt to Reconcile over Reconciliation
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