Congress Races to Avoid Shutdown
Appropriations/Continuing Resolution
Congressional negotiators are scrambling to finalize a government funding deal before the current stopgap measure expires on Friday, December 20. With only days remaining before the deadline, Congress is racing to pass spending measures that would keep the federal government operating into the new year, when Republicans will control both chambers. Lawmakers in both parties expect the government to stay open, but passing a spending bill has been a challenging task for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA), who is under pressure from various factions within his party.
While negotiations continue, the text of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government, originally expected over the weekend, has been delayed due to disputes over extending farm programs and providing additional economic relief to the agriculture sector. Lawmakers had planned to include a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, but disagreements over funding have stalled progress. On the GOP side, Senator John Hoeven (ND) proposed a $28 billion aid package, including $12 billion for economic losses and $16 billion for weather-related relief, while Democrats countered with a $10 billion plan focused on economic assistance and conservation, arguing the GOP offer falls short of farmers' needs. Congressman Pete Sessions (TX) has vowed to vote against any CR that does not include support for farm families, calling the agricultural community the "backbone" of the nation.
As the CR negotiations continue, the Senate is advancing other priorities, including the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has already passed the House and is set for a final Senate vote midweek.
With the shutdown deadline rapidly approaching, time is running out to finalize and pass a funding bill in both chambers. The House’s 72-hour rule for legislative review means that a resolution must be reached soon. If no agreement is made, government funding will lapse, jeopardizing essential services and leaving critical sectors, such as agriculture, without needed support.
Click here to access Senator Stabenow and Ranking Member Scott’s joint statement on Farm Bill negotiations.
USCM/WDC Advocacy on WIOA Reauthorization
On Thursday, December 12, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), in partnership with the National League of Cities (NLC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), issued a joint statement regarding the bicameral draft agreement to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), titled the Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA). In the statement, the coalition urged Congress to address the concerns identified by our respective memberships to ensure the workforce development system remains responsive to local, demand-driven needs.
As negotiations continue on the CR, it is currently unclear if WIOA reauthorization will be included in the legislation.
USCM, NLC, and NACo have worked in coordination to uplift local concerns in reauthorization, with joint and individual advocacy efforts, letters and legislative recommendations to congressional staff and leadership over the summer and continuously in recent months and weeks.
Click here to access the full joint local coalition statement.
Click here to access the August local coalition advocacy letter.
Click here to access the November letter sent to House leadership.
Click here to access the November letter sent to Senate leadership.
Click here to access the bill text.
House Education and the Workforce Committee Leadership
On Thursday, December 12, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI) was selected to chair the House Education and the Workforce Committee, succeeding outgoing Chair Virginia Foxx (NC). Walberg's selection followed a competitive process with Congressman Burgess Owens (UT), and while final approval from the full Republican conference is expected, Walberg's seniority and leadership vision were key factors in his victory.
Walberg’s leadership pitch focused on recalibrating labor policies in response to the Biden administration’s pro-union stance, aligning with the priorities of a potential Trump administration. He also plans to prioritize school choice, affordable college, apprenticeships, internships, and bipartisan support for a short-term Pell Grant bill as well as strengthening the connection between education and workforce development. He is a strong proponent of reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and has emphasized the importance of job training and education reforms, noting that without a strong workforce, the country cannot thrive.
Walberg, raised in a working-class family with a background in labor and education, has a history of aligning with conservative priorities — pop as seen in his 12 percent rating from the AFL-CIO and 66 percent rating from the Heritage Foundation. He voted with his party to repeal the Biden administration’s joint-employer rule and supported Congressional Review Act resolutions targeting other Biden-era labor regulations.
He is expected to work closely with Congressman Bobby Scott (VA), the likely ranking Democrat on the committee, with both expressing a mutual respect for bipartisan collaboration. Despite policy differences, both leaders share a commitment to expanding school choice and strengthening workforce development. Walberg has emphasized the responsibility of leading the committee, highlighting the opportunity to make substantive reforms that empower parents, incentivize workforce training, improve government efficiency, and support American innovators and job creators.
Congressional Leadership
Senator Bernie Sanders, a key figure in the progressive movement and the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said in an interview that his upcoming term could be his last. During the interview, Sanders, currently 83, noted he would be 89 by the time he finishes his next term. Having served in Congress since 1991, Sanders won reelection in November for another six-year term in the Senate, following eight terms in the House. Although he has long maintained his independence, Sanders was a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in both 2016 and 2020.
On Wednesday, December 11, House Democrats formally approved several of their committee leadership for the new Congress, with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT) continuing as the party’s top lawmaker on the Appropriations Committee and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA) retaining his role as chair of the Budget Committee.
USCM WDC “Workforce Outlook for 2025 and Beyond” Webinar
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, USCM Workforce Development Council (WDC) President and Executive Director of Workforce Connections, Inc. Jaime Cruz led a conversation with former U.S. Congressman Jon C. Porter, also a former Mayor of Boulder City, NV, on the workforce outlook for 2025 and beyond. The discussion focused on the new political landscape and its potential impact on workforce development in cities, as well as how the WDC can best position itself for engaging with lawmakers in the 119th Congress. WDC members also had the opportunity to participate in a dedicated Q&A session.
Click here to access a recorded video of the webinar.
Bipartisan Policy Center Workforce Development Commission
The Bipartisan Policy Center has unveiled its Commission on the American Workforce, aiming to create a national strategy to strengthen the country’s education and workforce development systems. Led by former Governors Bill Haslam of Tennessee and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, the commission seeks to address critical skills challenges that have left over one million jobs unfilled. The commission highlights significant challenges, including child care deserts and a skills gap in the labor market, emphasizing the need for bold, multi-sector solutions that deliver results benefiting workers, employers, and communities alike. As part of its efforts, the commission is recruiting experts to craft actionable solutions while advocating for the reauthorization of key workforce-related legislation, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). A fact sheet released last month underscores the urgency of addressing gaps in education and training programs to better align with labor market needs. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of collaborative strategies to ensure all Americans have access to the skills and opportunities required to succeed in today’s economy.
Click here to learn more about the Commission.
Click here to access the fact sheet.
Department of Education
Last week, Linda McMahon, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Education Secretary (and former head of the Small Business Administration) who co-chaired his transition, met with key Senate Republicans to build further support for her nomination. On Tuesday, December 10, Senator Ted Budd (NC), met with McMahon and later praised her federal agency experience — believing it will help her navigate the Department of Education’s bureaucracy and align its budget with the president’s agenda amid federal spending cuts. McMahon also met with several members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, including Senators Roger Marshall (KS), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), Tommy Tuberville (AL), and incoming number two Senate Republican, John Barrasso (WY).
If confirmed, McMahon will oversee implementation of Trump’s campaign promises to cut the Department’s budget, expand school choice, and reform Title IX. Senators left the meetings reassured that McMahon will push for these changes, with Tuberville noting a focus on Title IX and school choice. Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) highlighted McMahon’s commitment to real reforms and improving the Department’s connection to students.
AmeriCorps
On Wednesday, December 11, during a House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing titled "Examining the Policies and Priorities of AmeriCorps and Its FY 2024 Audit Failure," Republican members questioned AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith about the agency’s eight consecutive failed audits. Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (UT) compared the situation to a bank failing multiple audits, suggesting that such a record would raise concerns for most people. AmeriCorps' acting inspector general, Stephen Ravas, acknowledged progress in addressing "material weaknesses" identified in the audits, and Smith committed to achieving a clean audit by 2026. Democrats, however, defended the agency, highlighting its impact on communities affected by natural disasters and its student loan repayment assistance program. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL) emphasized that over $5 billion AmeriCorps members have received for college or loan repayment, arguing that cutting the program would be counterproductive to solving the student loan crisis.
While Owens has previously expressed interest in making AmeriCorps a priority for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (NC) has advocated for its elimination, next steps remain unclear. Smith, when asked about the agency's future, expressed confidence that AmeriCorps has strong bipartisan support, noting its creation under the Clinton administration and broad backing across party lines.
Click here to access a video of the hearing.
Initial Jobless Claims
In the week ending December 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 242,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 224,000 to 225,000. The 4-week moving average was 224,250, an increase of 5,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 218,250 to 218,500. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending November 30, unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate.
Click here to access the report.
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