Sean Casten (D-IL)
DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
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
This bill, known as the "DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026," aims to amend the Defense Production Act of 1950. It focuses on addressing workforce and skilled labor needs required for national defense. The legislation requires Federal agencies to identify specific workforce or skills gaps that impact the domestic industrial base. It also allows agencies to direct financial assistance toward recruiting, training, placing, or retaining workers in defense-critical jobs. Additionally, agencies must include discussions of these gaps and recommendations for action in their annual reports.
Yes· 3 of 25
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Focus on apprenticeships and training is particularly beneficial for young adults entering the workforce.
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
Creates clear pathways from education/training to employment through apprenticeships.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill provides funding and strategies to recruit and train workers for defense-critical occupations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Workforce Development: Under Section 2, subsection (h)(2), agencies can direct financial assistance to help recruit, train, place, or retain workers in defense-critical occupations. This could provide more opportunities for people to enter specialized, high-demand fields.
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Addressing Skill Shortages: Section 2, subsection (h)(1) requires agencies to identify workforce and skills gaps. This process aims to identify what is needed to help the domestic industrial base supply necessary materials and services for national defense objectives.
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Future Planning and Training: Section 2, subsection (h)(3)(B) requires agencies to provide recommendations for reducing gaps, including workforce training programs and apprenticeships. This could create structured pathways for people to gain critical skills.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Record Keeping Requirements: Section 2, subsection (h)(2) specifies that the use of funds for worker recruitment or training is contingent upon the entity keeping records of performance standards for those workers. This creates an administrative requirement for the entities involved.
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 students be better off under this? — Creates clear pathways from education/training to employment through apprenticeships. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Focus on apprenticeships and training is particularly beneficial for young adults entering the workforce. Would business owners be better off under this? — Helps businesses overcome labor shortages by funding the training of a skilled workforce. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Training and placement programs create pathways to higher-paying defense-critical jobs. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides opportunities for mid-career retraining and skill development. Would union members be better off under this? — Apprenticeships and skill training often align with union training models and job security. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans often have applicable skills and may benefit from specific placement in defense-critical roles. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Job training and placement initiatives can expand economic opportunities for marginalized groups. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Job training and placement initiatives can expand economic opportunities for marginalized groups. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Job training and placement initiatives can expand economic opportunities for marginalized groups. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Job training and placement initiatives can expand economic opportunities. Would men be better off under this? — Training programs can provide new entry points into industrial and defense sectors. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases job security and skill availability in the domestic industrial base. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Job training and placement initiatives can expand economic opportunities for marginalized groups. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Recruitment and training programs may provide more accessible pathways to employment. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Increases industrial job opportunities in rural manufacturing areas. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increases industrial job opportunities in urban manufacturing hubs. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Job training and placement initiatives can expand economic opportunities across the workforce. Would women be better off under this? — Training programs can provide new entry points into industrial and defense sectors.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides funding and strategies to recruit and train workers for defense-critical occupations. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Strengthening the domestic industrial base and workforce skills generally supports economic stability and growth. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Entities in the domestic industrial base may receive financial assistance for workforce training.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires agencies to include workforce gap identifications and training recommendations in annual reports. Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands the authority of federal agencies to direct how financial assistance is used for workforce training.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Job training and placement initiatives can help reduce poverty for those entering the workforce.
- 3/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Introduced in House