On April 7th, 2026, the National Association of Workforce Boards issued a Policy Alert to its membership, for which KRA provides this summary of A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026, proposed by House Education and Workforce Committee (HEWC) Chair Tim Walberg (R‑MI) to reauthorize WIOA—which expired in FY 2020—with the new bill closely mirroring the version of ASWA that was nearly enacted by Congress in 2024.
A key difference between ASWA 2026 and previous iterations is its lack of bipartisan support. Central to this divide is the bill’s proposal to transfer WIOA Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act funding and programs from ED and DOL. Democrats have consistently opposed this move, particularly in light of the Administration’s broader effort to shift education related programs across federal agencies through ten different interagency agreements.
The legislation retains several policy provisions that NAWB considers concerning: a requirement that 50% of Adult/Dislocated Worker funds be spent on training, with limited flexibility for supportive or career services; an additional 10% Governor’s Reserve allocation for a Critical Industry Skills Fund, allowing states to reserve up to 25% of total WIOA Title I funding; and authority for smaller states to redesignate a single-state workforce board, subject to legislative approval.
Despite NAWB’s strong advocacy for increased federal workforce investment, ASWA 2026 would freeze funding for Title I Adult and Youth programs at current levels for 6 years and reduce Dislocated Worker funding by 4.5% over the same period.
Given narrow congressional majorities and the bill’s partisan nature, its path forward remains uncertain. Therefore, NAWB pledges to remain actively engaged with HEWC and committed to keeping members informed as ASWA 2026 deliberations continue.
As deliberations continue, this moment represents both uncertainty and opportunity for the workforce system. For providers like KRA and our partners, the focus remains on sustaining high-quality, customer-centered services while staying agile in response to potential policy shifts. Continued engagement, advocacy, and alignment across federal, state, and local stakeholders will be essential to ensure that any reauthorization of WIOA strengthens, not constrains, the system’s ability to meet the evolving needs of jobseekers and employers alike.