This week, both chambers of Congress have been on recess and are expected to return on February 23. The partial government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding continues as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, the House CTE Caucus’s CTE Month Resolution is still open for cosponsors. CTE Caucus co-chairs Reps. Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the resolution in the House earlier this month, but Members can still sign on in support. There is a companion resolution in the Senate, but due to procedural differences the deadline for cosponsors has passed in that chamber. Read more, along with more policy updates, below.  

• Ask Your Representatives to Cosponsor the 2026 House CTE Month Resolution: Strong support for the CTE Month Resolution will ensure that CTE is a priority for Congress this year. Using ACTE’s Action Center, you can send a message directly to your representative and ask them to cosponsor the Resolution.    

• DOL Announces $65 Million in Grants for Community College Workforce Programs: On Feb. 17, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of over $65 million in grants for community colleges to expand in-demand training programs. The funding will also go to support the necessary data activities required to ensure that programs meet the eligibility requirements of Workforce Pell. The deadline for institutions to apply is May 20. Read more on the blog.  

• Casey Sacks Officially Joining U.S. Department of Education (ED): Dr. Casey Sacks, President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College in West Virginia is officially leaving the college for a position in the Administration,  joining ED as its chief financial officer. During the previous Trump Administration, Sacks served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges in ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, where she led work around workforce development, CTE, adult education and prison education. She also served in a consultant position at the beginning of this Trump Administration as the Senior Policy Advisor for Workforce and AI. 

• ED Urges Institutions of Higher Education to Implement Best Practices to Reduce Default Rates: On Feb. 18, ED issued additional guidance reminding institutions of higher education of their shared responsibility under Title IV of the Higher Education Act to support borrowers throughout their federal student loan repayment journey and outlining best practices to strengthen institutional default management and prevention plans.  

• DOL Launches New Data Portal: On Feb. 18, the DOL launched a new data portal that provides access to labor and workforce datasets, visualizations and more from various agencies. Datasets related to WIOA training programs are expected to be added as well.  

• Upcoming House Hearing on CTE: Next week, on Feb. 24, the House Committee on Small Business will be hosting a hearing entitled “Career and Technical Education: Developing the Future of Main Street Success,” focusing on the role of CTE for businesses and employers. ACTE will provide updates on the hearing as needed. 

• Upcoming House Hearing on AI and Teaching: Next week, on Feb. 24, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce will be hosting a hearing entitled “Building an AI-ready America: Teaching in the AI Field.” The committee has hosted several AI-related hearings in the past few months, including hearings on AI in the workplace and AI’s impact on education and workforce systems.