Congress extends job-training funds to two U.S. territories left behind

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.

Named in the bill

Wagner-Peyser Act, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Department of Labor, House Committee on Education and Workforce

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.

• Mar 3, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Mar 3, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Education and Workforce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

1 lobbying clients named this bill on 2 disclosure filings across 2 quarters, Dec 2025 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $300,000 in lobbying spend. A filing names 3 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 0% of bills with at least one filing.

Kimberlyn King-Hinds, the sponsor, reported $35,000 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• Ulse Inc. D/b/a Ul Standards & Engagement — $300,000 on 2 filings

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.