Earlier today, the House Appropriations Committee marked-up the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services (L-HHS) funding bill. The bill provides $1.7 billion for Job Corps, an increase of $11.2 million over the FY 2016 enacted level and $54 million below the President’s budget request. The bill included a $10 million increase to Job Corps’ operations account and $1 million for construction related expenses. Increases are included for safety and security improvements at Job Corps campuses across the country. Compared to the Senate FY 2017 L-HHS bill, the House mark is approximately $10 million below.

Click here to find pages 6 and 7 of the House L-HHS bill with statutory language specific to Job Corps. Page 35 and 36 include language consistent with WIOA allowing a U.S. Forest Service center to be contracted out – on a competitive basis – by the Secretary of Labor.

It is unknown whether or not the full House Appropriations Committee will consider the FY 2017 L-HHS bill before Congress adjourns on July 15th ahead of the Republican and Democratic conventions. Democrats voiced concerns related to nearly a dozen policy riders, insufficient funds to combat the Zika Virus and reductions to education and other social programs. The FY 2017 bill passed through the Subcommittee with a partisan vote of 6-5.