A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 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 bill, known as the Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats Act or PATH Act, directs the Secretary of Labor to support the development of pre-apprenticeship programs in building and construction trades. It targets underrepresented populations, including individuals from low-income and rural census tracts, racial minorities, women, military veterans, and the long-term unemployed. The Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible nonprofit partnerships for up to three years, with a possible one-year extension based on performance. Eligible entities must include equal participation from industry employers and labor organizations. The legislation authorizes an appropriation of twenty million dollars for fiscal year 2027 and each subsequent fiscal year.
Yes· 3 of 22
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill targets individuals from low-income census tracts and offers financial support and training.
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Programs incorporating high schools help young participants earn diplomas while gaining trade skills.
- Scored +6
Would women be better off under this?
Women are specifically highlighted as an underrepresented population targeted for pre-apprenticeship support.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes an appropriation of twenty million dollars annually starting in fiscal year 2027.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3(a) and Section 3(f)(2)(A) direct grant funds to pay for the cost of training and education associated with pre-apprenticeship programs for individuals from underrepresented populations. This benefits everyday people by helping them access skills and career opportunities in the building and construction trades without bearing the full financial burden of training costs.
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Section 3(f)(3)(A) allows eligible entities to use grant funds to provide stipends for participants during work-based training in the program. This provision positively impacts individuals by offering financial support while they learn, making it easier for lower-income participants to stay in the program and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
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Section 3(e)(4)(C) ensures that if an entity carrying out a project includes a high school, the program model leads to a high school diploma for participants who do not already have one. This directly benefits young people by allowing them to gain trade skills while simultaneously completing their secondary education.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline potential negative consequences, burdens, or harms for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 targets individuals from low-income census tracts and offers financial support and training. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Individuals residing in rural census tracts are specifically targeted for program benefits and workforce development. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Military veterans and veterans service organizations are explicitly included as beneficiaries and partners. Would women be better off under this? — Women are specifically highlighted as an underrepresented population targeted for pre-apprenticeship support. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Programs incorporating high schools help young participants earn diplomas while gaining trade skills. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Members of racial minorities are specifically targeted as an underrepresented population to benefit from the grants. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Members of racial minorities are included in the target groups for career training assistance. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Members of racial minorities are explicitly included among the underrepresented populations served by the act. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Members of Federally recognized Indian Tribes are explicitly included as an underrepresented population. Would students be better off under this? — Students in participating high schools and career programs receive pathways to diplomas and trade skills. Would business owners be better off under this? — Employers benefit from a pipeline of skilled workers through structured pre-apprenticeship partnerships.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare individuals for jobs in the building and construction trades. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The legislation requires equal participation from labor organizations in eligible nonprofit partnerships. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small businesses can participate in the eligible partnerships and benefit from a trained local workforce. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By training workers for in-demand trade careers, the bill supports workforce development and economic productivity. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes an appropriation of twenty million dollars annually starting in fiscal year 2027.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Grant funds can be used for participant stipends and help low-income individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — Women are specifically included among the underrepresented populations targeted for pre-apprenticeship programs. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill explicitly targets underrepresented populations, including racial minorities, for career training opportunities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Military veterans are explicitly included as a target demographic for receiving pre-apprenticeship training support.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The legislation allows partnerships to include educational institutions and high schools to help participants earn diplomas.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Individuals from rural census tracts are specifically targeted for participation in the pre-apprenticeship programs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs federal grant-making authority through the Secretary of Labor.
- 8/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia