Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Workforce Investments Accountability Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Workforce Investments Accountability Act aims to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It focuses on enhancing the performance accountability system and dedicating specific funding to skills development. The bill changes how performance indicators are measured, such as employment duration and high school diploma requirements. It also establishes more detailed processes for how the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education propose and evaluate performance levels with States. Additionally, the act introduces sanctions for States and local areas that fail to meet specific performance benchmarks. Finally, it mandates that a significant portion of funds be used for specific training services.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the publication of statistical models and methodologies on a public website to ensure transparency in performance levels.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets performance indicators for low-income status and allocates funds toward training services for adults.
- Scored +3
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The focus on high school diploma requirements and training services can benefit young adults entering the workforce.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Training Tracking: The bill updates performance indicators to include tracking whether participants remain in unsubsidized employment or specific training activities during the fourth quarter after exiting a program (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Improved Data Transparency: The Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Education are required to publish statistical models and methodologies on a public website to ensure transparency (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(B)(i)).
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Standardized Reporting: New requirements ensure that States and local areas use a comparable and uniform format for reporting data, which helps maximize value for workers and jobseekers (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Support for Specialized Needs: Performance indicators are updated to include factors like foster care status, school status, education level, and low-income status to better understand participant needs (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(B)(C)(i)).
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Guaranteed Skills Development Funding: The bill requires that not less than 50 percent of certain funds be used for training services provided to adults and dislocated workers (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Sanctions for States: States that fail to meet specific performance levels can face a reduction in funds, which are then returned to the Secretary of Labor (Section 2(d)(1)(B)(i)).
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Financial Sanctions for Local Areas: Local areas that fail to meet performance standards for a second consecutive year may face a 5-percent reduction in their allocated funds (Section 2(e)(2)(A)(i)).
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Organizative Disruptions: In cases of continued performance failure, Governors may be required to implement a reorganization plan, which can include appointing a new local board or redesignating a local area (Section 2(e)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Reporting Burdens: While the bill mentions reviewing requirements to avoid undue burden, it also allows the Secretary to require additional information regarding core programs (Section 2(b)(1)(C)(i)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets performance indicators for low-income status and allocates funds toward training services for adults. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The focus on high school diploma requirements and training services can benefit young adults entering the workforce. Would business owners be better off under this? — Enhanced skills development through training programs can provide a more capable workforce for employers. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes requirements to report and track performance for diverse racial and ethnic subpopulations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides for resource reallocation that can assist various local areas including rural ones. Would union members be better off under this? — The emphasis on unsubsidized employment and skills development aligns with worker advancement goals. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The improved accountability and training funding can enhance local economic opportunities in urban areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of statistical models and methodologies on a public website to ensure transparency in performance levels.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill enhances job training services and tracks employment retention to improve labor market outcomes.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By mandating that 50 percent of funds be used for skills development for adults and dislocated workers, the bill aims to improve long-term earning potential.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill emphasizes skills development and training services which can lead to better postsecondary outcomes.
- 3/26/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.