ADVOCACY & POLICY UPDATE - April 21, 2025

Washington Update

Department of Labor

On Wednesday, April 16, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) placed hundreds of employees on paid administrative leave as part of a broader restructuring effort that has sparked concerns across multiple agencies. The move includes staff from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), and several other offices amid ongoing changes under the Trump Administration. At OFCCP, the shift follows the revocation of a longstanding executive order (EO) that had supported much of the office’s authority. The change significantly narrowed OFCCP’s mission, now focused primarily on enforcing anti-discrimination laws related to veterans and individuals with disabilities in federal contracting. According to agency leadership, the restructuring aligns the office with its current statutory responsibilities, reduces operational costs, and eliminates practices they consider discriminatory under diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 

Simultaneously, ETA has seen career staff placed on leave following disputes with members of the Domestic Operations and Government Enforcement (DOGE) team. Among them is Steven Rietzke, a nearly 20-year veteran who served as division chief for National Programs, Tools and Technical Assistance. In March, DOGE personnel sought access to ETA systems, including databases related to the National Farmworker Jobs Program, which supports job training for legally authorized agricultural workers. According to several sources, Rietzke and others objected to the scope of data DOGE was attempting to collect. DOGE staff have been stationed at DOL, raising concerns among ETA employees about potential misuse of sensitive worker information and the erosion of trust with migrant and seasonal farmworkers. 

These developments come amid the administration’s broader workforce reduction strategy. DOL has offered early retirement or deferred resignation options to employees across several offices, including OFCCP, ETA, the Women’s Bureau, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, and the Office of Public Affairs. Dozens of employees had already accepted the offer ahead of the Friday, April 18 deadline, anticipating potential layoffs.

The cuts are consistent with recommendations outlined in Project 2025, a policy framework aligned with the administration’s broader goals. 

Job Corps

On Monday, April 14, Senator Susan Collins (ME) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer regarding DOL’s move to halt enrollment at two state Job Corps centers. The Department's decision to pause both programs comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Maine Governor Janet Mills over her refusal to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. In the letter, Senator Collins emphasized the importance of using federal funds responsibly during challenging budgetary times but also stressed the need to support effective programs that contribute to local economic health. She noted that the costs of the programs have remained stable, despite concerns from the Department of Labor about rising expenses.

Click here to read the letter.

Returning Education to Our States Act

On Wednesday, April 9, Senator Mike Rounds (SD) reintroduced the Returning Education to Our States Act (S. 1402), which eliminates the U.S. Department of Education and reassign its functions to other federal agencies. Co-sponsored by Senators Jim Banks (IN) and Tim Sheehy (MT), the legislation would transfer federal student aid programs to the Treasury Department, shift oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to the Department of Health and Human Services, and move the Office of Indian Education to the Interior Department. It would also repeal the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), which outlines the authority of the Education Secretary, while preserving the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The bill includes a provision to block grant education funds to states and requires the White House to submit a reorganization plan to Congress. Rounds shared the proposal with Education Secretary Linda McMahon to assess its alignment with the administration’s plans, though the bill would require bipartisan support to advance in the Senate.

Click here to read the press release on the legislation.