Employment Services and Jobs Parity Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1797

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-02-11T15:11:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Employment Services and Jobs Parity Act (H.R. 1797) aims to extend federal employment services and funding under the Wagner-Peyser Act—a law that supports public employment offices and job placement programs—to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and American Samoa. These U.S. territories currently lack full inclusion in these programs, and the bill seeks to provide them with equitable access to job training, unemployment services, and related resources.

Key Provisions

• Inclusion in Definitions: Adds CNMI and American Samoa to the list of eligible U.S. territories (alongside Guam and the Virgin Islands) in the Wagner-Peyser Act's definitions section, making them eligible for federal employment services.
• Unemployment Compensation Requirements: Requires these territories to have unemployment compensation laws in place to participate in federal programs, similar to other territories.
• Funding Allotments:
• Excludes CNMI and American Samoa from the standard formula for distributing federal funds to states, treating them like Guam and the Virgin Islands.
• Starting in the first fiscal year when total funding exceeds 2025 levels (and every year after), allocates to each of CNMI and American Samoa an amount equal to half of Guam's allotment for that year.
• Ensures these territories receive a baseline share of funds before the remainder is distributed to states.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, the Wagner-Peyser Act applied primarily to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, with special funding protections for Guam and the Virgin Islands.
• This bill expands eligibility to CNMI and American Samoa for the first time, removing their exclusion from general allotments and introducing targeted funding formulas to promote parity without disrupting existing state allocations.
• It conditions participation on having compatible unemployment laws, aligning these territories with federal standards.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Labor will need to administer new funding streams and oversight for CNMI and American Samoa, potentially increasing administrative workload but enhancing program reach in underserved territories.
• On Citizens: Residents of CNMI and American Samoa—estimated populations of about 50,000 and 45,000 respectively—gain access to federal job placement, training, and unemployment services, which could improve employment opportunities and economic stability in these remote areas.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this is a domestic extension of U.S. services to its territories; however, it may indirectly support U.S. interests in the Pacific by bolstering local economies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary Beneficiaries: Residents and workers in CNMI and American Samoa, who will have better access to job services.
• Government Entities: Territorial governments of CNMI and American Samoa (for program implementation); U.S. Department of Labor (for funding distribution); and congressional committees like Education and the Workforce.
• Secondary: Businesses and employers in these territories, who may benefit from improved workforce development.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens uniformity in federal treatment of U.S. territories under employment law, potentially setting a precedent for including other territories in similar programs. No conflicts with existing unemployment laws are anticipated, as participation is voluntary and tied to compliance.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Territory Clause (Article IV, Section 3) to govern U.S. territories and extend federal benefits, promoting equal protection principles without raising sovereignty issues for these insular areas.
• Political: Addresses long-standing inequities in federal support for Pacific territories, introduced by representatives from Hawaii and American Samoa, which could foster bipartisan support for territorial equity but may spark debates over funding priorities amid federal budget constraints.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

Cosponsors (1)

Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-03: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E179)
• 2025-03-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Employment Services and Jobs Parity Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (3 pages)