Senate Panel Takes First Step to Preserve AmeriCorps, Other Programs

In a 26-3 vote on July 31, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. This strong, bipartisan vote and legislation underscore support from both parties to invest in families, education, health care, and workforce development.

The legislation notably chose to flat-fund programs at current rates rather than implement proposed significant funding cuts as called for by the Trump administration. Specifically, the bill ensures continued funding for AmeriCorps, safeguarding its ability to support thousands of volunteers who contribute to disaster relief, education initiatives, and community development projects. As SHRM launches its Education-to-Employment (E²) initiative, focused on aligning the education sector and employment needs, having strong national service organizations such as AmeriCorps is essential when discussing workforce readiness and bridging the E² gap.

The Senate’s LHHS spending bill also maintains funding for Federal TRIO Programs —expanding higher education opportunities for low-income and first-generation students — and allocates resources for workforce training initiatives, including apprenticeship grants. LHHS Subcommittee Chair Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., highlighted the bill’s focus on preparing students and workers for the future, with targeted investments in child care, education, mental health, and combating the opioid epidemic.

The bill still faces a challenging uphill battle to final passage. The full Senate and House of Representatives must pass it before it can reach the president’s desk.

For a summary of the bill’s provisions, visit the Senate Appropriations Committee’s website.