DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8133
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, titled the DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026, amends the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950—a law that allows the government to prioritize production of materials and services for national defense during emergencies. Its main goal is to address shortages in workers and skilled labor needed for national defense by enabling better use of funds for workforce development.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: Establishes the bill's name as the "DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026".
- Amendments to DPA Section 303 (50 U.S.C. 4533): Adds a new subsection (h) requiring:
- Workforce Gap Identification: Federal agencies with delegated DPA authority must identify shortages in workers or skills that hinder the U.S. industrial base's ability to provide defense-critical materials and services.
- Use of Funds for Labor: Agencies can require recipients of financial assistance (under DPA Titles I or III, which cover loans, purchases, and other support) to use part of those funds to recruit, train, place, or retain workers in defense-critical occupations linked to the funded projects. Recipients must track performance standards for these workers.
- Annual Reporting: Agencies must discuss these identifications, fund uses, and provide short- and long-term recommendations (e.g., training programs or apprenticeships) in the annual Defense Production Act Committee report.
- Technical Correction: Fixes a minor typo in the original DPA's short title phrasing for clarity.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces explicit authority to allocate DPA funds toward workforce development, which was not previously specified.
- Mandates proactive gap analysis and public reporting by agencies, promoting transparency and planning.
- Includes a retroactive clerical fix to the DPA's original naming.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases duties for gap assessment, fund oversight, and reporting, potentially streamlining defense production but adding administrative workload.
- Citizens and Workers: Creates job training and placement opportunities in high-demand defense sectors, helping address labor shortages.
- Businesses and Industry: Defense contractors and suppliers receiving DPA aid gain support for hiring skilled workers, improving their capacity to meet government needs.
- National Defense: Strengthens the domestic industrial base's readiness by tackling human capital gaps.
- No direct effects on international relations noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Those delegated DPA authority by the President (e.g., Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, or Commerce).
- Private Entities: Businesses receiving DPA financial assistance, such as manufacturers in defense supply chains.
- Workers: Individuals in or seeking defense-critical occupations (e.g., skilled trades for military production).
- Defense Production Act Committee: Responsible for annual reports.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands DPA's scope without new funding, relying on existing authorities; requires record-keeping to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of funds.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's war powers and spending authority under Article I; no apparent conflicts with individual rights.
- Political: Could bipartisan appeal by bolstering national security through workforce investment, but may spark debate over government intervention in labor markets or industry favoritism. The technical fix is neutral and non-controversial.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-27 — PDF (3 pages)