Lawmakers returned to session this month with only a short time left to pass the remaining Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriation bills before the January 30 deadline. As of today, negotiators are still working on compromise legislation, including the bill that would fund the Department of Education (ED). Earlier this year, both the House and Senate released their FY 26 funding bills for the ED, but no agreement has been reached. The Senate bill provides level funding for Perkins State CTE grants, and the House bill provides a $25 million increase. However, there are significant concerns about the House bill because it includes steep cuts to other education and workforce programs that support CTE learners, educators and schools.
As lawmakers resume work and the appropriations process moves forward, it is essential that advocates weigh in one more time so that Congress understands the importance of both increased support for CTE and sustained investments to education and workforce programs across the continuum.
ACTION NEEDED: CLICK HERE to urge your Members of Congress to support education and workforce development funding as they finalize FY 2026 appropriations bills!
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.
