Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Sewell (AL-07) voted to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), legislation that will help unleash the full potential of Alabama’s workforce by ensuring Alabamians have the skills they need to succeed. Amid the strongest job growth in modern times, these investments will connect Alabamians to a record number of job openings—bringing workers off the sidelines, increasing production, and lowering the cost of key goods.

“Today, I proudly voted to invest in Alabama’s workforce, which is the cornerstone of economic growth and prosperity in our state,” said Rep. Sewell. “By fully funding our federal workforce development system, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will deliver high-quality job training and empower Alabamians to take advantage of record job growth we’re experiencing under President Biden. By getting people in jobs, this legislation will help bolster Alabama’s manufacturing base and lower costs for hardworking Alabama families.” 

WIOA makes up the heart of the United States’ workforce development system, but its Congressional authorization has not been renewed since lapsing in 2020. Additionally, while the U.S. labor force has grown by roughly half over the past four decades, federal workforce development spending has fallen by two thirds. This funding gap means that essential job training services are frequently unavailable to Alabamians who need them most.

Today’s reauthorization fully funds WIOA for six years, allowing the workforce development system to train one million American workers per year by 2028. Additionally, it further expands pathways to opportunity by strengthening the Job Corps program, supporting summer and year-round jobs programs for young people and establishing a new employment program for formerly incarcerated Americans. By helping fill a record number of job openings, these workforce development investments will power the economy and lower costs for working families. 

In order to further address good shortages and rising prices, the House passed the America COMPETES Act earlier this year. This legislation will deliver transformative investments to strengthen the United States’ broken supply chains, reinvigorate American manufacturing and boost production across key industries. The Congress is now working to deliver a final bipartisan, bicameral supply chain package to the President’s desk.