Bill · H.R. 5779· House(119-HR-5779)
American Workforce Act
- Introduced
- 10/17/2025
- Last activity
- 10/17/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Max Miller
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill creates the American Workforce Act to establish a workforce development program as an alternative to college. It sets up an American Workforce Division within the Department of Commerce to manage the program and review contracts. Employers and prospective trainees can enter into approved contracts that combine paid on-the-job work with educational training. The federal government provides workforce education subsidies directly to employers to cover the cost of training. Employers also receive a hiring bonus if they hire a trainee as a full-time regular employee upon completion of the project.
Yes· 3 of 14
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+8
Young adults benefit significantly by having an accessible alternative to college that provides paid training and leads directly to well-paying jobs.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Low-income individuals gain access to fully subsidized educational training alongside paid employment, providing a pathway to economic stability.
Would business owners be better off under this?+7
Business owners receive federal subsidies for training costs and hiring bonuses when retaining trainees as permanent employees.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Paid Training and Education: Under Section 2(2) and Section 4(c), participating trainees get a paid, full-time position that includes structured on-the-job work and educational training subsidized by the federal government, which helps individuals learn a trade without going to college.
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High Wage Standards: Under Section 4(e)(1), employers must train and consider trainees for positions that pay at least 80 percent of the annual median household income of the local county or nearest metropolitan area, ensuring participants have a shot at good-paying jobs.
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Whistleblower Protections: Under Section 3(d) and Section 3(f), trainees can file complaints if an employer violates a contract, and employers are strictly prohibited from discharging or discriminating against any trainee who participates in these proceedings.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Exclusion of Individuals Without High School Diplomas: Under Section 2(8)(A), to be eligible as a trainee, an individual must have a high school diploma or its equivalent and cannot have a bachelor's or higher degree, which leaves out Americans who never finished high school.
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Limits on Trainee Mobility: Under Section 4(c)(15), if a trainee completes a project and wants to enroll with a subsequent employer using another subsidy, they must wait at least one year after their most recent training concluded, which could delay their career advancement.
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Funding Restrictions on Certain Training: Under Section 4(c)(8), workforce education subsidies cannot be used for diversity, equity, and inclusion training, culturally responsive training, or any training that violates Title VI or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, restricting the types of educational content permitted.
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 Young Adults+8Good For Business Owners+7Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Students+6Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Rural Residents+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+7Improves Economic Growth+6Improves Small Business Support+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- 10/17/2025
- 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.