The 'Less Bureaucracy, Better Workforce Development Act' (H.R. 9607) proposes transferring certain education and workforce development programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. Specifically, it aims to move the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's responsibilities—including the administration of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act—to the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. This shift is intended to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic overlap by consolidating similar functions under one department. The bill also outlines the transfer of associated staff, assets, and unspent funds to ensure continuity during the transition period.
Supporters of the bill argue that consolidating workforce development programs under the Department of Labor will enhance efficiency and effectiveness. They believe that reducing bureaucratic layers will lead to more streamlined services for individuals seeking education and job training, ultimately resulting in better outcomes for students and workers. Proponents also suggest that this move aligns with efforts to modernize federal education laws by focusing on student success rather than maintaining existing bureaucratic structures.
Critics express concern that transferring these programs could disrupt existing services and negatively impact students and workers who rely on them. They argue that the Department of Education has specialized expertise in managing educational programs, and moving these functions to the Department of Labor might lead to a misalignment of priorities. Additionally, opponents worry that such a significant restructuring could create confusion and administrative challenges during the transition period, potentially hindering the delivery of essential services.
The analysis of H.R. 9607, sponsored by Tim Walberg, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor's top donor industries. The primary donor industry is Health Professionals, contributing a substantial $1.32 billion, while the second largest donor group is Retired individuals, who contributed $412.5 million. Given that the bill focuses on workforce development, particularly in reducing bureaucracy, it does not directly intersect with the interests of these donor industries, which primarily revolve around healthcare and retirement issues. Therefore, the potential for conflicts of interest appears minimal. Voters should be aware that while significant funding from these sectors exists, it does not directly influence the bill's objectives.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TUNGSTEN MINING NL | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $120,000 |
| DELTA | CAPITOL TAX PARTNERS, LLP | $70,000 |
| LEARN ALLIANCE (INFORMAL COALITION) | CAPITOL TAX PARTNERS, LLP | $40,000 |
| FRAYM | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $40,000 |
| SUPPLY ENERGETICS, INC. | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $30,000 |
| VIEGA LLC | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $30,000 |
| GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS | GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS | $30,000 |
| ML STRATEGIES, LLC (ON BEHALF OF DAIKIN U.S. CORPORATION) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $30,000 |
| LIBERTY MUTUAL GROUP INC. | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $30,000 |
| OISHII | BALLARD PARTNERS | $20,000 |
| ML STRATEGIES, LLC (ON BEHALF OF PRICESMART, INC.) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| DIRECT KINETIC SOLUTIONS | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $15,000 |
| NLMK PENNSYLVANIA | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $10,000 |
| CARL ZEISS AG | FGS GLOBAL (US) LLC (FKA FGH HOLDINGS LLC) | undisclosed |
| ZIPPO MANUFACTURING COMPANY | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Tim Walberg, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
