Urge Congress to Invest in the Economic Futures of America’s Workers and Learners

Jobs for the Future is calling on our partners throughout the learn and work ecosystem—employers, education and workforce development providers, civic and community leaders, and investors and entrepreneurs—to join us in encouraging Congress to strengthen education and workforce systems so that millions of Americans facing barriers to good jobs have access to high-quality choice-filled career pathways, skills-based learning experiences, and economic mobility supports—as outlined in our No Dead Ends campaign. 

One of JFF’s top advocacy priorities this year is for Congress to preserve a strong federal role in funding education and workforce development. Earlier this spring, JFF sent letters to the U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees and to the Trump administration to outline our priorities for fiscal year 2026, which starts October 1. (To read our letter, go to: https://www.jff.org/jff-shares-budget-recommendations-with-white-house/.) 

We emphasized the need for sufficient funding levels for:

• WIOA Title I formula funds for adults, dislocated workers, and youth 
• Adult education and literacy grants 
• Career and technical education and dual enrollment through Perkins V 
• Full Pell Grant funding, including Pell Grants for short-term training 
• Registered Apprenticeship and expansion of apprenticeship to new industries 
• The Reentry Employment Opportunities grant program for people with criminal records 
• The Economic Development Administration and regional economic development workforce programs 
• Workforce data systems and Education, Innovation and Research (EIR) grants supporting innovation 

Many of these vital, federally funded education and workforce programs are now under threat.

In May, the Trump administration recommended significant funding cuts to the nation’s public education and workforce systems in its proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year. (See JFF's fact sheet at: https://www.jff.org/fact-sheet-trump-administrations-fy26-budget-request/.) Congress now must decide on how to fund the federal government. At the end of July, the U.S. Senate appropriations committee voted 26-3 to advance a bill that would preserve current funding levels for education and workforce programs. In September, the House Appropriations committee introduced its spending plan that substantially curtails funding (see committee report: https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP00/20250909/118593/HMKP-119-AP00-20250909-SD002.pdf). 

Now is the time to contact your representatives in Congress to express your opposition to these proposed cuts and encourage lawmakers to preserve and increase federal investments in economic opportunity for Americans. 

You can use the form at right to send a message to members of Congress.  

Please note: JFF reserves the right to not transmit letters.