Congressional leaders continue to discuss the components of a forthcoming reconciliation bill that will include components of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan that won’t be covered by the bipartisan infrastructure framework.
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Congressional leaders have agreed upon a $3.5 trillion cap for a forthcoming reconciliation bill that will include components of President Biden’s American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan that won’t be covered by the bipartisan infrastructure framework. In his initial proposal, the President called for $100 billion for workforce development activities over the next ten years.
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As lawmakers return from a July 4th recess, deadlines loom that will make for a busy summer. Suspension of the debt ceiling is set to expire July 31 and there is not a clear path forward as to whether Congress will let it expire or extend the suspension. The debt ceiling is the maximum amount of money the government can borrow to pay for its bills.
Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona have recently been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to pitch lawmakers on President Biden’s legislative priorities for workforce development and education.
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The House Education and Labor Committee recently held a hearing on the role of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in promoting successful reentry models for people impacted by the justice system. The committee heard testimony from a panel of witnesses that included representatives of community-based organizations, employers, and other stakeholder groups working to advance training and employment for justice-involved individuals.
READ MORE from Congress Seeks Bipartisan Updates to the Workforce System
The digital skills gap and a lack of broadband access in many households across the country has left millions of Americans at a significant disadvantage in pursuing learning and employment opportunities. In 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Pew Research Center survey demonstrated rates of internet adoption were lowest among older Americans, low-income individuals, those with a high school diploma or less, Black Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities, and people living in rural communities.
President Biden released the full version of his Administration’s fiscal year 2022 (FY22) budget, which calls for $6 trillion in spending and a deficit of $1.8 trillion. The proposal provides details for allocations for federal agencies following topline requests that were released as part of the “skinny” budget in early April.
Prior to the pandemic, the nonprofit sector employed more than 12 million people, making them the third-largest industry in the country — larger than the construction, financial services and manufacturing industries. In normal times, these organizations are on the frontlines, providing housing, food aid, transportation, childcare, and workforce development and job training services to those who need it most, while also uplifting faith, culture and quality of life in communities throughout the United States.
Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, Older Americans Month (OAM) is observed every May to recognize older Americans and their contributions to our communities. This year’s OAM theme, Communities of Strength, celebrates the strength of older adults and the Aging Network, with special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities.
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Congress has passed a number of measures that helped nonprofits during the pandemic, including measures that benefit those who donate to charities. In March 2020, Congress enacted a $300 charitable deduction for cash gifts from non-itemizers (those who take the standard charitable deduction) for 2020.
READ MORE from Ask your Lawmakers to Support the Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act
For more than 60 years, local Goodwill organizations have celebrated Goodwill Week during the first full week of May to raise awareness of our critical mission of getting people who have lost jobs back to work. Your support is essential to this work. When you donate, shop, volunteer or advocate in support of Goodwill, you are helping us provide people with the training and support they need to find jobs, advance in their careers and thrive.
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President Biden used his address to a joint session of Congress to outline his vision for the American Families Plan. After signing the American Rescue Plan Act in March, the President unveiled an outline for the American Jobs Plan, a $2.3 trillion jobs and infrastructure proposal, which we outlined last month and would make major investments in the workforce system. The American Families Plan is the final piece of the three-part Build Back Better agenda.
