H.R. 9607
Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act
Sponsor: Tim Walberg · 0 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act
This bill transfers specified functions relating to education and workforce development programs from the Department of Education (ED) to the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
Specifically, the bill transfers to the ETA all the functions and authorities exercised by ED before the bill's effective date related to ED's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education. This office administers adult education and family literacy programs under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and career and technical education programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006. (On July 15, 2025, ED announced an interagency agreement with Labor for Labor to manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate ED's programs with Labor's existing programs, while ED must maintain its statutory responsibilities and program oversight.)
Additionally, the bill transfers to the ETA all personnel and appropriations related to the functions that are transferred under this bill.
The bill outlines the authority of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to the functions that are transferred under this bill, including that OMB must ensure that this bill does not create a net increase in full-time equivalent employees at the ETA or ED. Further, OMB must certify compliance with the bill to specified congressional committees.
The transfer of these functions does not affect any suits, proceedings, or applications for benefits, services, licenses, permits, certificates, or financial assistance that are pending on the date of this bill's enactment.
Text of the bill
There are transferred to the Secretary of Labor (acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration) of the Department of Labor all the functions which the Secretary of Education exercised before the effective date of this Act (including all related functions of any officer or employee of the Department of Education) with respect to each of the following:
(1) The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), other than sections 116 and 117 of such Act.
(2) Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3271 et seq.).
(3) The programs and other initiatives that help adult learners become literate, obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, obtain secondary school diplomas, and transition to postsecondary education and training pursuant to related legislation.
(4) Promotion of collaboration, coordination, and communication among States, local educational agencies, community colleges, and organizations in order to ensure that career and technical education programs and activities prepare youth and adults for postsecondary education and high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations in current or emerging professions.
(5) Cultivation of continuous improvement for career and technical education and adult education and family literacy programs in service of engaging, developing, and inspiring a high-performing workforce informed by high-quality data and accountability systems and quality assurance measures.
(6) Any function not covered under paragraphs (1) through (5) that is described in the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.) as a function that is exercised by the Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education.