Gateway to Careers Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced
Summary
Career Pathways Grant Program creates competitive federal grants to fund partnerships that connect workforce training, higher education, employers, and student supports to boost employment in in‑demand industries. Grants emphasize evidence, geographic equity, and regular reporting.
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- Students and jobseekers receive funded career pathway programs and supports such as childcare, transportation, mental health services, dual enrollment, and emergency grants.
- State workforce agencies can get competitive grants to award subgrants to local partnerships. Grants and subgrants run up to four years and the Department must reserve 1 to 3 percent of funds for independent evaluation.
- Employers join multiemployer partnerships to shape training and the program requires an equitable geographic distribution, including rural and traditionally underserved regions.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New grants for career training
If enacted, the bill would create a Career Pathways Grant Program run by the Department of Labor with Education consulted. Grants would go to State workforce agencies, or directly to local partnerships if a State does not apply. State grants must fund local subgrants for up to four years and provide application help. Subgrant money could pay for training, dual enrollment, equipment, and supports like childcare, transportation, housing help, mental health care, help getting health insurance, SNAP/WIC access, and emergency grants.
Priority for community colleges and learners
If enacted, States would give priority when awarding subgrants to applicants that partner with public two-year institutions or Tribal colleges. States would also prioritize applicants that serve people with barriers to employment or postsecondary education. Applicants must propose activities backed by strong, moderate, or promising evidence, or submit a research-based rationale plus ongoing evaluation. This would focus funds more toward community-college-led programs and people facing obstacles to work or school.
Annual state reports and federal summary
If enacted, each State receiving a grant would send yearly reports to the Secretary about who was served and what activities were funded. Reports must show job and earnings outcomes, credential attainment, measurable skill gains, and which supports participants received. The Secretary would send a report to Congress every two years using State data.
Funding authorized starting in 2027
If enacted, the bill would authorize such sums as may be necessary to run the program starting in fiscal year 2027 and each year after. The authorization does not set a dollar amount. Actual funding would depend on future annual appropriations by Congress.
Evaluation set-aside and admin cap
If enacted, the Secretary would set aside between 1% and 3% of each year's program funds for a rigorous independent evaluation and to share evidence-based practices. The Secretary could use up to 3% of each year's funds for administrative costs. These set-asides would reduce the share of funds available for local subgrants by those percentages.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov