Sponsors
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Expresses support for federal career and technical education (CTE) programs, including the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, and says current authorized funding for FY2024 is insufficient. Urges the House Education and Workforce Committee to authorize $13,000,000,000 in new funding over the next 10 years for Perkins and related evidence-based CTE programs to expand training, raise wages, and improve long-term job security for workers.
For many Americans, the post-COVID economic boom is an opportunity to reskill and upskill, with American workers changing jobs and even professions in historic numbers.
The landscape of the 21st century economy is changing, as emerging new technologies and shifting demands create new opportunities and challenges.
There remains a crucial and unaddressed need to train the workforce of this new economy.
Now is the time to invest in American workers, because the economic energy of the post-COVID recovery presents an opportunity to retrain and realign the American workforce and provide workers with skills to earn higher wages and attain long-term job security.
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) is identified as the primary Federal law developing and supporting career and technical education programs in secondary and postsecondary education.
Who is affected and how:
Students and learners: Secondary and postsecondary students in CTE programs would be the primary beneficiaries if additional funding is later authorized and appropriated. Increased resources could expand program seats, modernize equipment, and broaden course offerings.
Workers and adult learners: Individuals seeking reskilling or upskilling could gain access to more training, apprenticeships, and career pathways tied to in‑demand jobs.
Educators and program staff: Teachers, instructors, and CTE program administrators could benefit from expanded professional development, hiring, and resources to modernize curricula.
Institutions: High schools, community colleges, technical schools, and other training providers could receive greater federal support (subject to later authorization/appropriation), enabling facility upgrades and program expansion.
Employers and local labor markets: Businesses could gain a larger pool of skilled workers aligned with emerging technologies and industry needs, improving hiring pipelines and regional economic competitiveness.
Federal and state budgets: The resolution requests $13 billion in new authorized spending over 10 years; if followed by authorization and appropriation, this would increase federal outlays and likely require state/local matching or distribution under existing Perkins formulas. The resolution itself does not commit funds.
Practical effects and limitations:
The resolution is an expression of support and a policy recommendation. It does not amend existing law, change Perkins program rules, or obligate appropriations.
Real-world impacts depend on subsequent legislative action: the Education and Workforce Committee must draft an authorization bill, and Congress must pass appropriation measures to fund any authorized increases.
Because the resolution does not specify allocations or program changes, outcomes would depend on the content of future bills (e.g., priorities for secondary vs. postsecondary CTE, apprenticeship expansion, employer partnerships, or equity-focused initiatives).
Last progress June 4, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 4, 2025 by S. Raja Krishnamoorthi