On July 15, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a full committee markup on a package of bills that, if passed, would codify the Department of Education’s (ED) interagency agreements that transfer education programs to other federal agencies. The package includes H.R. 9607, the Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act, which would officially transfer authority over the Perkins Act to the Department of Labor (DOL).
In his opening statement, Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) argued that ED has failed to improve outcomes and prepare students for the workforce, stating that the transfers would place programs under agencies better fit to implement them. Ranking Member Robert Scott (D-VA) disagreed, stating that other federal agencies lack the expertise to implement education programs and that the current interagency agreements are illegal and burdensome. Rep. Scott specifically noted that several states struggled with drawing Perkins funds from the DOL’s grant management system after administration of CTE funding was transferred to the DOL last year.
Lawmakers first discussed the bill that would codify the transfer of Perkins and the Adult Education program to the DOL. Rep. Walberg promoted the transfer as a way to better align education and training programs with labor market needs, expanding opportunity and equipping students with the skills needed to pursue work.
Democratic lawmakers voiced opposition to the bill. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)—co-chair of the House CTE Caucus—asserted that the interagency agreements are illegal and have led to funding delays. She remarked that several state CTE offices failed to receive funding in a timely manner and that the DOL is not equipped with the expertise to manage these programs. She also noted Advance CTE and ACTE’s concern about the transfer. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) described the role of adult learners and declared her opposition to the bill, pointing to a previous bipartisan reauthorization of WIOA that failed to pass. Rep. Scott also stated that ED has paid over $1 million to the DOL to administer CTE and adult education funding.
Several amendments to the bill were introduced by lawmakers. Rep. Joseph Courtney (D-CT) introduced an amendment that would require ED to demonstrate that states are able to draw CTE and adult education funds without delay before transferring them to the DOL. Rep. Scott introduced several amendments, including requiring reports on the costs and basis of the transfer, ensuring that ED staff detailed to the DOL have access to a safe working environment, and ordering the DOL to issue a report on the investigation of former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
Lawmakers went on to discuss the remaining bills, with Republicans supporting the transfers and Democrats opposing. The committee ultimately voted to advance the entire legislative package but struck down the amendments. The package now moves to the House floor for full consideration by the House of Representatives. The timing of that vote is not yet clear. Bills would also have to be considered by the Senate, and at this point are unlikely to pass there, although that could change. ACTE will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Readers may view the hearing here and contact ACTE’s Government Relations Manager Jimmy Koch with any questions.
