Congress extends job-training funds to two U.S. territories left behind
H.R. 1797 — Employment Services and Jobs Parity Act · Filed by Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Mar 3, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends the Wagner-Peyser Act—the federal law governing employment services—to extend eligibility for federal job-training and employment-service funding to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, territories currently excluded. Both territories would receive federal allotments equal to half of what Guam receives, beginning when total available funding exceeds 2025 levels.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative purpose is to extend existing federal employment-services funding to two U.S. territories previously excluded from the Wagner-Peyser Act. It is a straightforward eligibility and appropriations amendment with no hidden mechanisms or riders.
What the text implies
- Funding is contingent on total Wagner-Peyser appropriations exceeding 2025 levels; if appropriations remain flat or decline, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa receive no new allotments, creating a conditional benefit.
- The allotment formula (half of Guam's amount) is fixed by statute; future adjustments would require new legislation, potentially locking in a lower relative share even if economic conditions or population in these territories change.
Who it affects
Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa gain access to federally funded employment services and job training previously unavailable to them, improving economic opportunity and labor-market access in underserved territories. The cost is modest (half of Guam's allotment) and funded through existing Wagner-Peyser appropriations, not new taxes.