On June 4, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies released its funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. Overall, the bill proposes broad cuts to both the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Labor (DOL). The bill would cut ED by approximately $8 billion (10%) and DOL by $3.7 billion (27%).
In some positive news, the bill provides a $10 million increase for the CTE Basic State Grant under the Perkins Act and does not adopt the Administration’s proposal to prohibit Perkins funds from being used for postsecondary CTE programs. However, the legislation includes a small cut to CTE National Programs and significant reductions elsewhere, including eliminating funding for the Adult Basic Education program, which is consistent with the Administration’s budget request. It also includes full or partial funding cuts of other programs that support CTE programs and learners, such as the complete elimination of ESSA Title II funding for educator development and cutting the Federal Work Study program at ED, as well as reducing funding for WIOA programs at DOL.
The bill is scheduled to be considered by the House Appropriations Committee on June 9. In the following weeks, Senate appropriators will release their funding bill for FY 2027. Many expect that their bill will be much different than the House version. Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol will need to reach a compromise to avoid a shutdown.
While an increase in Perkins funding is favorable, it is essential that Congress provides sustained investments to the entire education and workforce system to ensure all learners have the opportunity and resources needed to build skills for lifelong career success.
ACTION NEEDED: CLICK HERE to urge your Members of Congress to support education and workforce development funding in FY 2027!
Send a message directly using the ACTE Action Center. You can also call or email directly any personal contacts that you have in your Members’ offices, such as from a meeting at NPS, or call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and an operator will connect you to your Member of Congress.
