Bill · H.R. 5296· House(119-HR-5296)
BUILDS Act
- Introduced
- 9/11/2025
- Last activity
- 9/11/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Suzanne Bonamici
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The BUILDS Act requires the Secretary of Labor to provide competitive grants to industry or sector partnerships. These grants aim to improve worker training, retention, and advancement within targeted infrastructure industries like energy, construction, and transportation. The program focuses on creating collaborative planning and resource alignment across multiple businesses. It specifically targets the recruitment of workers who face barriers to employment. Grants can be for initial implementation or renewals, lasting up to three years.
Yes· 3 of 36
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
Specifically targets individuals with barriers to employment and provides support services like child care and transportation.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+7
Creates apprenticeship and entry-level training opportunities for those entering the workforce.
Is this likely to create jobs?+7
The bill provides grants to improve worker training and recruitment in high-priority infrastructure industries.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill increases government spending through the authorization of new competitive grants.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill authorizes $2.5 billion in spending over five years.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Support for Workers with Barriers to Employment: The bill focuses on recruiting individuals with barriers to employment and providing strategies to help them overcome these hurdles (Section 5(d)(6)).
- Comprehensive Support Services: Individuals in work-based learning programs can receive pre-employment services such as skills training, work attire, tools, child care, and transportation (Section 6(d)(1)).
- Early Employment Assistance: The act provides for ongoing case management, mentorship, and wages and benefits for up to 6 months to help new workers succeed in their programs (Section 6(d)(2)).
- Improved Training and Credentials: The bill promotes the development of nationally portable recognized postsecondary credentials and registered apprenticeship programs (Section 5(b)(6)).
- Expanded Job Opportunities: By aligning curricula and training with industry needs, the bill aims to improve worker advancement and retention in high-priority infrastructure occupations (Section 5(d)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Competitive Nature of Grants: Because grants are awarded on a competitive basis (Section 4(a)), many eligible partnerships or regions may not receive the funding needed to start these programs.
- Limited Grant Duration: Grants are limited to a period not to exceed 3 years (Section 4(b)(2)), which may create uncertainty regarding the long-term stability of the training programs.
- Capped Funding for Planning: For implementation grants, only $250,000 can be used for planning activities in the first year (Section 6(b)), which may limit the scope of initial outreach and workforce evaluations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+8Good For Young Adults+7Good For Business Owners+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Students+6Good For African Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Union Workers+5Good For Men+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Veterans+4Good For Women+4Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Immigrants+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For White Americans+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+6Improves Public Transit+4Improves Roads And Bridges+4Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+6Improves Childcare Affordability+5Improves Racial Equity+4Improves Disability Rights+3Reduces Homelessness+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+7Improves Economic Growth+5Improves Small Business Support+4Improves Union Protections+2Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2
- 8/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Glenn ThompsonRepublican · Pennsylvania