September Legislative News

USDOT Policies and Programs Focus of House T&I Hearing with Sec. Buttigieg 

Supply Chain Resilience and Competitiveness with China Examined by House Energy & Commerce 

Last week, “Mapping America’s Supply Chains: Solutions to Unleash Innovation, Boost Economic Resilience, and Beat China” was the subject of a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing which explored the topic of ways to bolster supply chain resilience. Discussion centered on how to lessen dependence on Chinese sourcing and whether the federal government needs a new office focused on the supply chain. 

There was little disagreement among committee members from both parties about the importance of the subject. Democrats pointed to the CHIPS Act as a concrete policy to increase domestic manufacturing of a critical component typically sourced from Asia, while Republicans raised concerns about Chinese intelligence gathering in the U.S. Largely, both parties were aligned in their concerns and viewed economic resilience as of paramount importance.

The Alliance for American Manufacturing, technology accessories company Austere, think tank American Compass, and investment firm Paradigm provided testimony. 

UAW Strike Draws Attention, GAO Says Su Can Remain as Acting Secretary 

The United Auto Workers’ (UAW) strike against the big three automakers, although currently limited in the factories it’s affecting, is attracting a larger spotlight from Congress. In its opening gambit, the union is calling for a nearly 40% pay increase, annual cost of living adjustments, a restoration of pensions regardless of hire date, and a 32-hour workweek, among other demands. About 145,000 workers are UAW members. 

Labor disruptions have been more frequent under the current administration, affecting railroads, seaports, and parcel shipper UPS. Despite the labor environment, the Department of Labor (DOL) is without a Senate-confirmed secretary. 

Julie Su is serving as acting secretary, but as Senate and House Republicans have pointed out, her acting appointment has long exceeded the allowable tenure under statute. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), however, says that rules governing the DOL secretary are different, and that Su can serve in an acting capacity indefinitely. 

WIOA Reauthorization Subject of House Education & Workforce Hearing 

At a hearing entitled “Strengthening WIOA: Improving Outcomes for Jobseekers, Employers, and Taxpayers,” a House Education & Workforce Committee subcommittee discussed the reauthorization of WIOA, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which serves as legislation for the authorization of workforce training programs within the Department of Labor. Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) in the hearing stressed the importance of ensuring that jobseekers are leveraging the programs to obtain the skillsets needed in today’s economy. 

Members from both parties agreed upskilling the labor force is essential to the nation’s competitiveness and to keep pace with employer demands. Making the bureaucratic requirements less onerous and giving states increased flexibility in the implementation of WIOA programs will make the overall program more responsive and nimbler. 

Testimony at the hearing came from an education technology provider, the South Florida Workforce Investment Board, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, and the American Enterprise Group. 

----

This legislative update was largely compiled by Britton Mullen. Britton Mullen is the founding Principal of BC Consulting, LLC, a full-service government affairs and strategic consulting firm located in Washington, D.C. Mullen has more than a decade of professional experience crafting and executing government relations and communication strategies that have helped shape federal policy over 20 years. She has successfully provided strategic policy guidance to some of the country’s top elected officials, corporations, and trade associations.