House CR drastically cuts workforce funding.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote tonight or tomorrow on a continuing resolution (CR), which would replace the current CR that expires March 4, and which would cut nearly $3.8 billion in funding for job training programs under the Department of Labor.  These cuts include the elimination of all Program Year (PY) 2011 funding for the Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth job training programs under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), including all advanced appropriations.  Under the CR, the WIA system would receive no new funding until July 1, 2012. 

Other programs targeted for deep cuts or elimination of funding include:

• YouthBuild ($102.5 million);
• Green Jobs Innovation Fund ($40 million);
• Career Pathways Innovation Fund ($125 million);
• Reintegration of ex-offenders program ($108.5 million);
• Senior Community Service Employment Program ($500 million); 
• Dislocated Worker state formula grant program and the Dislocated Worker National Reserve ($165 million rescinded from FY 10 funds); and
• Pell Grant (the maximum eligible grant would be reduced from the current $5,550 to $4,705).  

The Senate leadership has suggested they will not take up the House CR, and President Obama has issued a veto threat against the bill.  However, the tight deadline - coupled with warnings from House leadership that they will not move another short-term CR at current funding levels if the House and Senate can’t come to an agreement on a final bill before March 4 - could result in a final bill that effectively destroys the public workforce system. 

National Skills Coalition will continue to monitor these issues, and will provide updates as information becomes available. Sign up for our RSS feed to receive the most current updates.