Press Releases

 Labor Secretary Thomas Perez appeared before the Committee on Education and the Workforce at a hearing that examined a number of the department’s policies and responsibilities, including the nation’s workforce development system. During questioning, Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) raised concerns about the department’s repeated delays in implementing the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Rep. Foxx asked the secretary how states are supposed to meet their responsibilities under the law when the department has failed to meet its own responsibility to implement the law in a timely manner.

I am extremely concerned with the department’s repeated delays in issuing regulations implementing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act … The most recent delay of final regulations is even more concerning given the department will be reviewing and approving state plans prior to the issuance of final regulations. This includes negotiating levels of performance which will be used to determine whether a state meets the requirements of the law. It’s outrageous the department would hold states accountable to rules that have not been finalized.

To view a video of the exchange, click here.

For more information about the hearing, click here.

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