After a lengthy break, Congress will return for a few weeks in September before adjourning again to hit the campaign trail. There are many items which Congress much address or take up during the lame duck session post-election. Congress must pass appropriations bills or a continuing resolution by September 30 to avoid a government shutdown. The House has passed 5 of 12 appropriations bills which the Senate has not passed any.
Category: Advocate
Global Sustainability Leaders Join Goodwill Network in Washington DC to Explore Circularity Opportunities
By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International As part of an ongoing effort to advance circularity, Goodwill Industries International (GII) conducted a two-year pilot project to develop skills, systems and infrastructure to aggregate, sort and prepare textiles for reuse and recycling across its network. The results of the $1.28 million textile
Climate Legislation Continues to Drive Demand for Clean Energy Workforce
August 16th marks the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – the wide-ranging package of climate, tax, and health care legislation that was signed into law in 2022. Specifically, the climate and energy provisions of the IRA created new opportunities to support the development of renewable energy sources, speed up the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and deploy energy efficiency technologies in communities across the country.
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Meet with Lawmakers During the August Recess
Congress is in recess until after Labor Day, creating an opportune time for you to meet with lawmakers while they are back in their district. Senators and Representatives want to meet with constituents, and from reauthorizing workforce development programs, investing in key job training initiatives, to expanding charitable giving tax incentives – there is a lot to discuss.
Senate Advances Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Bill
Before adjourning for its month-long August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to advance its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The committee proposes level funding in FY25 for most of the federal workforce programs that help support Goodwill® employment and training services, with some targeted increases for apprenticeship and YouthBuild grants.
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Celebrating People with Disabilities
Each July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of people with disabilities and advocate for a more inclusive world. Local Goodwill organizations play an important role in ensuring people with disabilities can develop skills, access meaningful employment, and achieve their career goals.
House Proposes Deep Cuts to Workforce in Funding Bill
Recently, the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 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.
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Modernizing the Workforce System
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is due for reauthorization. WIOA is the primary federal workforce development law. It supports a nationwide network of one-stop career centers through which job seekers receive career services and training opportunities, including job search assistance, education, supportive services, and on-the-job training.
Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Process
The Congressional Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations Process is getting underway for the fiscal year that begins October 1. House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole released the topline allocations for the 12 subcommittees. House Republicans propose a 6 percent cut to non-defense programs, while increasing military spending by about 1 percent.
Get to Know Goodwill® During Goodwill Week
Every year during the first full week of May, local Goodwill organizations across the U.S. and Canada celebrate Goodwill Week to shine a light on the Goodwill mission — transforming lives through the power of work.
Older Americans Month 2024: Powered by Connection
For more than 60 years, Older Americans Month (OAM) has been observed each May to celebrate the many contributions that older adults make in their communities, families and in the workforce. Led by the Administration for Community Living at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the theme for OAM 2024 is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and connectedness have on the health, well-being, and independence of older individuals.
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Goodwill® on the Hill Highlights
On Thursday, April 18, advocates from more than 40 local Goodwills around the country — including executives, board members, program participants, and others — met with over 200 Members of Congress and staff for our annual Goodwill on the Hill event. Advocates discussed four key topics including: protecting federal funding for job-training and workforce development programs; expanding the charitable giving deduction to all taxpayers; reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and the role Goodwill plays in textile recycling.
