Chair Cassidy Leads Bill Increasing Americans’ Access to Job Opportunities, Codifying President Trump’s Pro-Worker Policy Into Law

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, is leading the Pathways to Paychecks Act, which empowers states to better connect employers with American workers.

The Wagner-Peyser Employment Service (ES) program facilitates connections between job seekers and employers. In 2023, the Biden administration eliminated states' flexibility to administer Employment Services with local government staff or contractors. This made it harder to provide ES services, harmed job-seeking Americans, and denied states the ability to respond to changing workforce needs.

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor proposed a new regulation overturning this harmful Biden policy and restoring the successful pro-worker standard from President Trump's first term. The Pathways to Paychecks Act codifies this regulation into law to prevent future anti-worker Democrat administrations from infringing on states' ES authority.

"By eliminating states' flexibility to administer employment services, Joe Biden and Julie Su took away opportunities from those looking for a better job. I'm glad to see Secretary Chavez-DeRemer restore this flexibility to better serve American workers," said Dr. Cassidy. "This legislation codifies President Trump's policy into law, making it easier for Americans to find employment so they can provide for their families."

"The National Association of Workforce Boards applauds Chairman Cassidy for recognizing that local decision-making is one of the key principles of the public workforce system. The organization is proud to once again endorse the Pathways to Paychecks Act to empower state and local workforce systems to use staffing models that align with the needs of their local communities. We look forward to working with Chairman Cassidy to codify this important flexibility for local communities," said Brad Turner-Little, President & CEO, National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB).

The legislation is also supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Read the full bill text here.

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