Expressing support for approximately doubling funding for Federal career and technical education programs.

Bill Number

H.Res. 474

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:44:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 474) expresses strong support for significantly increasing federal funding for career and technical education (CTE) programs. It highlights the need to invest in workforce training amid economic changes following the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to help American workers gain skills for higher wages and job security in a shifting 21st-century economy.

Key Provisions

• Affirmation of CTE Importance: Recognizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (the main federal law supporting CTE in high schools and colleges) and similar programs as essential for building a skilled workforce and improving workers' earning potential and job stability.
• Acknowledgment of Funding Shortfall: Notes that the current authorized annual funding of about $1.44 billion (for fiscal year 2024) is inadequate to meet demands from long-term economic shifts and the pandemic's effects.
• Call for Increased Funding: Urges the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to authorize $13 billion in new spending over the next 10 years for Perkins Act programs and innovative, evidence-based CTE initiatives, which would roughly double the current funding level.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution does not amend or change any existing laws. As a non-binding expression of the House's view, it serves as a recommendation rather than enforceable legislation, with no direct alterations to the Carl D. Perkins Act or other statutes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Could encourage the Department of Education (which administers Perkins Act funds) to prioritize CTE expansions, potentially leading to larger budgets if Congress acts on the urging, though it has no immediate fiscal effect.
• On Citizens: May benefit workers, students, and job seekers by supporting more accessible training programs, helping them reskill for new technologies and industries, potentially leading to better employment opportunities and economic mobility.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as it focuses on domestic workforce development without addressing foreign policy or trade.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• American Workers and Students: Primary beneficiaries, as enhanced CTE funding could provide more training opportunities for reskilling in a post-pandemic economy.
• Educators and Institutions: Secondary schools, community colleges, and CTE program providers would gain resources for program development and expansion.
• House Committee on Education and the Workforce: Directly urged to consider the funding increase, influencing their legislative priorities.
• Federal Government: Agencies like the Department of Education may see indirect pressure to allocate more resources if the resolution gains traction.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Lacks binding force, so it imposes no legal obligations; it operates under Congress's constitutional power to express policy preferences (Article I) without requiring presidential approval.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in funding education and workforce programs but does not raise separation-of-powers issues, as it is advisory.
• Political: Signals bipartisan or committee-level support for education investment, potentially influencing future appropriations bills or reauthorizations of the Perkins Act; it may build momentum for budget debates but could face opposition over fiscal concerns in a divided Congress.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-06-04: Submitted in House
• 2025-06-04: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing support for approximately doubling funding for Federal career and technical education programs. — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (3 pages)