Sponsors
The bill expands and funds digital-skills training and local digital equity initiatives that can materially improve employment prospects and business competitiveness, but it increases federal spending, administrative costs, and risks leaving rural or locally specific needs unaddressed unless paired with targeted infrastructure and implementation supports.
Workers and jobseekers (including young adults, unemployed and low-income individuals) gain access to federally supported digital skills and upskilling programs that improve employability and alignment with in-demand jobs.
States and local entities receive federal funds to build local digital equity infrastructure and strengthen digital resilience in education and workforce systems, reducing service disruptions and improving long-term access.
Postsecondary and adult education programs (and WIOA-funded training) get support to design industry-relevant curricula and to include digital/information literacy, improving job-market alignment for students and trainees.
The bill expands federally funded programs with open-ended or increased funding authority, which can raise federal and state spending and increase costs for taxpayers and future budget pressure.
Without parallel broadband and infrastructure investments, programs and funds may unevenly reach rural and under-resourced communities, leaving those populations behind.
States, local governments, colleges, and workforce agencies face added administrative burdens to apply for grants, design/deliver programs, and meet reporting requirements, which can strain capacity and slow implementation.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOL grant program to expand digital and information literacy and workplace digital skills via state formula and competitive grants; adds digital skills to allowable WIOA training.
Introduced December 3, 2025 by Timothy Michael Kaine · Last progress December 3, 2025
Creates a new federal grant program to expand digital and information literacy and workplace digital skills across postsecondary, adult education, and workforce systems. The Department of Labor (with Education and Commerce consulted) will award formula grants to States and competitive grants to eligible local entities, prioritize people facing employment barriers, require public reporting, and add digital literacy as an allowable WIOA training service; funding is authorized as "such sums as may be necessary" for FY2026–FY2030.