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Education & Workforce Committee Unveils WIOA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 2026
Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026—legislation that makes critical updates to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

“The workforce is evolving rapidly, and legislation designed over a decade ago is no longer meeting today’s demands. This bill modernizes a struggling and underutilized workforce development system, delivering reforms that strengthen participant outcomes and ensure greater accountability for taxpayer dollars. This is a win for employers, job seekers, and taxpayers alike,” said Chairman Walberg.

Specifically, A Stronger Workforce for America Act of 2026:
  • Removes silos. This bill moves adult education to the Department of Labor—making it easier to connect adult education to apprenticeships, sector partnerships, and employer-led training especially as artificial intelligence reshapes skill demands.
  • Upgrades the skills of more Americans. This bill dedicates funding toward upskilling workers through “individual training accounts” (ITAs), on-the-job learning, and other employer-led and industry relevant initiatives. It also helps a currently employed workforce gain new skills to avoid displacement and advance their careers.
  • Delivers greater accountability and program quality. This legislation strengthens the law’s accountability system—holding states and local workforce boards responsible for delivering positive outcomes for workers and job seekers.
Background: When WIOA was enacted in 2014, it made critical improvements to streamline the maze of federal workforce development programs and enhance accountability through a single set of performance metrics. However, over a decade later, significant challenges persist that hamper the workforce system’s ability to provide high-quality services to workers and employers. 

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