Congress returned to DC this week, with work primarily focusing on appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and the budget reconciliation process. Both chambers heard testimony from Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer testified in the House. Keep reading for more details and stay tuned for updates!
- More on the Trump Administration’s FY 2026 Budget Request: As reported last week, the Trump Administration released its full Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget request on May 30. The full budget reinforces the President’s request to make significant cuts to the Departments of Education (ED) and Labor. While Perkins would be level funded in the proposal, there are concerning policy changes included. Read more on the blog.
- Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Highlights Skilled Workforce on America at Work Tour: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited with apprentices in New York and New Jersey, alongside Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Nick LaLota (R-NY) and Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ). She also delivered remarks and released statements on the importance of having a skilled workforce.
- House Passes Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025: This week, the House passed bipartisan legislation endorsed by ACTE to ensure small businesses have access to information about CTE programs and can hire CTE graduates. The bill would also provide CTE graduates with information on how to launch small businesses. Now the bill will go to the Senate for further consideration.
- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) Reintroduces Resolution to Double CTE Funding: Rep. Krishnamoorthi reintroduced a resolution calling to double the federal funding for CTE. ACTE has endorsed this resolution, as these funds are critical to the sustainability and growth of CTE programs nationwide.
- ACTE Perkins 101 Briefing for Hill Staff: On Friday, ACTE, in partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF) and Advance CTE, hosted an all-day Perkins 101 briefing for Congressional staff. This briefing was designed to provide staff that could be involved in any potential reauthorization discussions a strong knowledge foundation.
- McMahon Testifies Before Both Chambers of Congress: Last Tuesday, Secretary McMahon testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on President Trump’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget request for the Department of Education (ED). Then on Wednesday, she testified before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on the policies and priorities for ED. Read more on the blog.
- Secretary Chavez DeRemer Testifies Before Education and Workforce Committee: Secretary Chavez DeRemer testified at the House Education and Workforce Committee’s hearing on the policies and priorities of DOL. She discussed the importance of expanding apprenticeship programs for underserved communities and highlighted DOL’s recently created apprenticeships.
- Senate HELP Committee Held Hearing on Trump Administration Education and Labor Nominees: The Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on several ED and DOL nominees, including nominations to Deputy Secretary of Education and Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at ED and Assistant Secretary of Labor the Employee Benefits Security Administration at DOL.
- Court Battles Continue Around ED Staffing: Following a preliminary injunction stopping large layoffs at ED, the Trump Administration has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in and allow them to move forward.
- New Appointees Announced at ED: On June 6, ED formally announced the appointment of a new late of staff, including former OCTAE Deputy Assistant Secretary Casey Sacks, who will be working temporarily in the Administration as a senior policy advisor on workforce and AI. New OCTAE Deputy Assistant Secretary Nick Moore, who assumed his role several weeks ago, was also included in the announcement.