Sponsor
Brad Schneider
Representative · D-IL
Representative · D-IL
The bill expands and targets federally funded retraining, supports, and employer-aligned workforce partnerships to help displaced and low-income workers get technology‑relevant, in‑demand jobs, but it increases federal spending, shifts program priorities toward tech training, and creates time-limited funding and administrative burdens that may leave some workers and local programs exposed after grants end.
Millions of unemployed, dislocated, and low-income workers gain access to federally funded retraining and supports (stipends, transportation, child care, paid leave) that lower barriers to participation and improve reemployment prospects.
Provides predictable federal dislocated worker grant funding ($40M/year, FY2027–FY2031), supporting program continuity, planning, and state/local delivery of retraining services.
Expands training to include digital literacy and automation-related skills and aligns training with employers and regional economic development, increasing workers' ability to obtain higher-wage, in‑demand jobs and boosting regional competitiveness.
The bill increases federal spending (including a new $40M/year commitment) that will be borne by taxpayers or require reallocation of budget priorities, raising fiscal pressures.
Some workers could be displaced or experience short-term unemployment before expanded programs scale up, leaving gaps in income and reemployment for those immediately affected by automation.
Funding and program timelines are time-limited (four-year grants, FY2027–FY2031 funding), creating uncertainty about long-term program continuity and support for displaced workers after grant periods end.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes competitive grants and WIOA amendments to train workers displaced or threatened by automation and funds $40M/year (FY2027–FY2031) for dislocated worker grants.
Official title: To address the needs of workers in industries likely to be impacted by rapidly evolving technologies.
Introduced February 13, 2026 by Brad Schneider · Last progress February 13, 2026
Creates a new competitive federal grant program and updates WIOA to help workers displaced or threatened by automation get new skills. Grants (up to 4 years) will fund industry–education–workforce partnerships to run demonstration and pilot training projects beginning in FY2027, with reporting and labor/nondiscrimination requirements; the bill also authorizes $40 million per year for national dislocated worker grants for FY2027–FY2031 and permits WIOA-funded training targeted to workers affected by automation.