Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Investing in Tomorrow's Workforce Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S611-612)
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 Investing in Tomorrow's Workforce Act of 2026 aims to support workers in industries facing disruptions from rapidly evolving technologies. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships for demonstration and pilot projects. These projects focus on training workers who may be displaced by automation to enter in-demand or technologically oriented occupations. The legislation also seeks to amend existing workforce laws to specifically include training for those affected by automation. Ultimately, the bill intends to prepare the United States workforce for a changing labor market.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets workers making less than $40,000 who are likely to be impacted by automation.
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
The bill targets assistance toward industries where automation-related job loss is higher for women.
- Scored +4
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill addresses workforce displacement that disproportionately affects people of color.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Job Transition Support: The bill provides grants to support demonstration and pilot projects that help dislocated workers transition into in-demand industry sectors or occupations (Section 4(a)(1), Section 4(b)(2)(A)(i)).
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Retraining and Upskilling: Partnerships can create plans to work with local businesses to retrain, upskill, and re-deploy workers, which serves as an alternative to layoffs (Section 4(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Technology Skill Acquisition: Workers may receive training in high-demand technical fields such as coding, systems engineering, or information technology security (Section 4(b)(2)(C)).
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Workplace Stability: Priority is given to partnerships that offer incumbent worker training to help employees obtain the skills necessary to keep their current jobs or move into higher-paid positions with the same employer (Section 4(c)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Financial and Essential Assistance: Grant recipients may provide workers with helpful benefits such as transportation stipends, paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, or access to child care services (Section 4(c)(2)(C)).
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Direct Training Support: Funds can be used to provide training services directly to workers, as well as providing training stipends to those participating (Section 4(d)(1), Section 4(d)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Competitive Grant Limitation: Because grants are awarded on a competitive basis, not all eligible partnerships or workers seeking support will necessarily receive funding (Section 4(a)(1)).
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 workers making less than $40,000 who are likely to be impacted by automation. Would women be better off under this? — The bill targets assistance toward industries where automation-related job loss is higher for women. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill addresses workforce displacement that disproportionately affects people of color. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill addresses workforce displacement that disproportionately affects people of color. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides upskilling opportunities to help workers maintain or improve their employment status. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill prepares workers for jobs in high-growth technological sectors. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for incumbent worker training to help employees retain or improve their current positions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill addresses job loss risks that disproportionately impact women according to the legislative findings. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prioritizes support for populations that the findings suggest are disproportionately impacted by automation-related job loss. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill allows grant recipients to provide access to child care services as part of worker support. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill aims to prevent poverty by helping low-income workers transition into higher-paid or more stable occupations.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds training for workers to enter in-demand industries to prevent unemployment caused by automation. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to boost economic productivity and competitiveness by preparing the workforce for technological shifts.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill includes funding for integrated education and training services for workers. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill focuses on workforce training related to advanced technological sectors.
- 2/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S611-612)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia