12.17.24

Scott, Foxx Praise Inclusion of ‘A Stronger Workforce for America Act’ in the House’s Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) released the following statements regarding the inclusion of the bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act within the House’s continuing resolution:

“Americans need a workforce development system that works for them and their families,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “I am pleased that the House Continuing Resolution (CR) includes bipartisan, bicameral legislation entitled ‘A Stronger Workforce for America Act.’ This critical bill strengthens our workforce system and benefits job seekers and employers. ‘A Stronger Workforce for America Act’ also ensures workers will benefit from innovative federal workforce development programs and be able to access to good-paying jobs. It is imperative that Congress pass the CR so ‘A Stronger Workforce for America’ can become law.” 

“Meeting the demands of the 21st century economy requires a targeted approach that sufficiently equips the hardworking men and women – who are the backbone of America’s workforce – with the tools and education they need to keep pace. By including the bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act in the House’s continuing resolution, transformative change that will leave an indelible impact upon generations of Americans to come is secured,” said Chairwoman Virginia Foxx.

In April, A Stronger Workforce for America Act passed the House with a vote of 378 to 26. The bipartisan legislation:

  • Upgrades the skills of American workers.
    • Dedicates 50 percent of the adult and dislocated worker funding toward upskilling workers through “individual training accounts” (ITAs), on-the-job learning, and wrap-around supports, while redirecting an existing funding stream toward ITAs for displaced workers. 
    • Prioritizes employer-led initiatives that equip workers with the skill sets to fill jobs in critical industries and help the currently employed workforce upskill to avoid displacement and advance their careers.
  • Delivers greater efficiency and accountability to WIOA programs.
    • Streamlines the “eligible training provider list” to focus on outcomes and ensure eligible programs are aligned with the skill and hiring demands of employers. 
    • Strengthens and fully implements the performance accountability system in the law to hold states and local workforce boards accountable for achieving positive labor market outcomes for program participants.
  • Fuels innovation for a skills-based economy.  
    • Establishes a pilot authority to provide several states and local workforce boards the flexibility to reimagine their workforce system and innovate in pursuit of better outcomes. 
    • Facilitates skills-based hiring by validating workers’ competencies gained through prior experience and authorizing state and local boards to provide technical assistance to employers on implementing skills-based hiring practices.

To read a fact sheet on the A Stronger Workforce for America Act, click here.

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