Jack Reed
Senator for Rhode Island · Democratic · United States
“This winter, Rhode Island was struck by the largest blizzard in State history. Over 3 feet of snow fell on the State in a 24-hour period--the highest 1-day snowfall on record for Rhode Island. The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour.”
“However, after months of waiting, on July 2, 2026, President Trump denied the request from Rhode Island with no explanation. On the same day Trump denied Rhode Island's request, he also denied requests from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts that all reportedly exceeded FEMA's damage thresholds.”
“However, after months of waiting, on July 2, 2026, President Trump denied the request from Rhode Island with no explanation. On the same day Trump denied Rhode Island's request, he also denied requests from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts that all reportedly exceeded FEMA's damage thresholds.”
“The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour. It caused widespread power outages and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits.”
“The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour. It caused widespread power outages and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits.”
“Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Disaster Relief Fairness Act, along with Senator Whitehouse. This bill would approve major disaster declarations requested under the Trump administration for incidents that meet or exceed FEMA's damage thresholds.”
The complete record
Every one of 160 lines we hold for Jack Reed, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 4.
“This will help ensure that States and Tribes get the relief they need--regardless of who they voted for--and allow them to fully recover from disasters. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Whitehouse and me in supporting this legislation. ______”
“However, after months of waiting, on July 2, 2026, President Trump denied the request from Rhode Island with no explanation. On the same day Trump denied Rhode Island's request, he also denied requests from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts that all reportedly exceeded FEMA's damage thresholds. Yet, that same week, he approved disaster aid for six Republican-led States. Disaster aid and helping communities recover from deadly storms should never be political. Yet President Trump's record proves that he cannot be trusted to adjudicate disaster money fairly without invoking his own partisan biases. The Disaster Relief Fairness Act would address that problem by granting all disaster declarations requested between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029 that meet the Federal requirements and thresholds for assistance.”
“The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour. It caused widespread power outages and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. Local businesses faced prolonged closures due to disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services across the State. Following the storm, the State of Rhode Island worked with FEMA to develop a preliminary damage assessment of the storm's impact. The assessment found over $19 million in damages, amounting to more than nine times the threshold required for a major disaster declaration. Under any other administration, this disaster declaration would have been approved on the merits, given its historic nature and FEMA's own damage assessment.”
“I wish that this bill was not needed, but it is because President Trump has chosen to block disaster assistance based on political partisanship. According to the Urban Institute, roughly 84 percent of disaster requests from States that voted for President Trump in 2024 have been approved under this administration, compared to just 42 percent from States that voted for Kamala Harris. Further, POLITOCO reported that Republican-led States have waited 39 days on average for a decision compared to the 80-day average for Democratic-led states. This winter, Rhode Island was struck by the largest blizzard in State history. Over 3 feet of snow fell on the State in a 24-hour period--the highest 1-day snowfall on record for Rhode Island.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4139-S4140] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse): S. 5018. A bill to approve certain requests for a major disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Disaster Relief Fairness Act, along with Senator Whitehouse. This bill would approve major disaster declarations requested under the Trump administration for incidents that meet or exceed FEMA's damage thresholds.”
“The Disaster Relief Fairness Act would address that problem by granting all disaster declarations requested between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029 that meet the Federal requirements and thresholds for assistance. This will help ensure that States and Tribes get the relief they need--regardless of who they voted for--and allow them to fully recover from disasters. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Whitehouse and me in supporting this legislation. ______ By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Cassidy): S. 5020. A bill to require a study on manufactured homes in areas at high risk of natural hazards and weather extremes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.”
“Under any other administration, this disaster declaration would have been approved on the merits, given its historic nature and FEMA's own damage assessment. However, after months of waiting, on July 2, 2026, President Trump denied the request from Rhode Island with no explanation. On the same day Trump denied Rhode Island's request, he also denied requests from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts that all reportedly exceeded FEMA's damage thresholds. Yet, that same week, he approved disaster aid for six Republican-led States. Disaster aid and helping communities recover from deadly storms should never be political. Yet President Trump's record proves that he cannot be trusted to adjudicate disaster money fairly without invoking his own partisan biases.”
“This winter, Rhode Island was struck by the largest blizzard in State history. Over 3 feet of snow fell on the State in a 24-hour period--the highest 1-day snowfall on record for Rhode Island. The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour. It caused widespread power outages and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. Local businesses faced prolonged closures due to disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services across the State. Following the storm, the State of Rhode Island worked with FEMA to develop a preliminary damage assessment of the storm's impact. The assessment found over $19 million in damages, amounting to more than nine times the threshold required for a major disaster declaration.”
“Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Disaster Relief Fairness Act, along with Senator Whitehouse. This bill would approve major disaster declarations requested under the Trump administration for incidents that meet or exceed FEMA's damage thresholds. I wish that this bill was not needed, but it is because President Trump has chosen to block disaster assistance based on political partisanship. According to the Urban Institute, roughly 84 percent of disaster requests from States that voted for President Trump in 2024 have been approved under this administration, compared to just 42 percent from States that voted for Kamala Harris. Further, POLITOCO reported that Republican-led States have waited 39 days on average for a decision compared to the 80-day average for Democratic-led states.”
“This will help ensure that States and Tribes get the relief they need--regardless of who they voted for--and allow them to fully recover from disasters. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Whitehouse and me in supporting this legislation. ______”
“However, after months of waiting, on July 2, 2026, President Trump denied the request from Rhode Island with no explanation. On the same day Trump denied Rhode Island's request, he also denied requests from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts that all reportedly exceeded FEMA's damage thresholds. Yet, that same week, he approved disaster aid for six Republican-led States. Disaster aid and helping communities recover from deadly storms should never be political. Yet President Trump's record proves that he cannot be trusted to adjudicate disaster money fairly without invoking his own partisan biases. The Disaster Relief Fairness Act would address that problem by granting all disaster declarations requested between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029 that meet the Federal requirements and thresholds for assistance.”
“The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour. It caused widespread power outages and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. Local businesses faced prolonged closures due to disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services across the State. Following the storm, the State of Rhode Island worked with FEMA to develop a preliminary damage assessment of the storm's impact. The assessment found over $19 million in damages, amounting to more than nine times the threshold required for a major disaster declaration. Under any other administration, this disaster declaration would have been approved on the merits, given its historic nature and FEMA's own damage assessment.”
“I wish that this bill was not needed, but it is because President Trump has chosen to block disaster assistance based on political partisanship. According to the Urban Institute, roughly 84 percent of disaster requests from States that voted for President Trump in 2024 have been approved under this administration, compared to just 42 percent from States that voted for Kamala Harris. Further, POLITOCO reported that Republican-led States have waited 39 days on average for a decision compared to the 80-day average for Democratic-led states. This winter, Rhode Island was struck by the largest blizzard in State history. Over 3 feet of snow fell on the State in a 24-hour period--the highest 1-day snowfall on record for Rhode Island.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4139-S4140] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse): S. 5018. A bill to approve certain requests for a major disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Disaster Relief Fairness Act, along with Senator Whitehouse. This bill would approve major disaster declarations requested under the Trump administration for incidents that meet or exceed FEMA's damage thresholds.”
“3195(b)) is amended-- (i) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except with respect to an individual described in paragraph (4),'' before ``the individual''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Individuals exempted from background check.--An individual described in this paragraph is-- ``(A) an individual who is-- ``(i)(I) a member of the Armed Forces eligible for pre- separation counseling of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code; or ``(II) a veteran who left the Armed Forces not more than 90 days before the date on which the veteran applies to enroll in the Job Corps; and ``(ii) not ineligible for retired pay as provided by section 12740 of title 10, United States Code; or ``(B) a military recruit who-- ``(i) is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code; and ``(ii) not more than 90 days before the date on which the recruit applies to enroll in the Job Corps, passed a background check as part of the enlistment process.''.”
“(4) Streamlined enrollment of veterans and military recruits into the defense industrial base.-- (A) In general.--Subsection (b) of section 144 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3194) is amended-- (i) in the heading, by inserting ``and Certain Other Armed Forces Members'' after ``Veterans''; and (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or a member of the Armed Forces eligible for pre-separation counseling of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code,'' after ``a veteran''. (B) Background check exemption.--Section 145(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(3) Local authority to realign trades.--Section 151 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3201) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(d) Local Authority.--Subject to the limitations of the budget approved by the Secretary for a Job Corps center, the operator of a Job Corps center shall have the authority, without prior approval from the Secretary, to-- ``(1) hire staff and provide staff professional development; ``(2) set terms and enter into agreements with Federal, State, or local educational partners, such as secondary schools, institutions of higher education, child development centers, units of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs established under section 2031 of title 10, United States Code, or employers; and ``(3) engage with and educate stakeholders (including eligible applicants for the Job Corps) about Job Corps operations, selection procedures, and activities.''.”
“``(3) Prohibition of offset using external funding.--An operator that accepts a grant or charitable donation under paragraph (1) may not use the grant or charitable donation to fulfill the cost of any obligation imposed on the operator under an agreement under section 147. ``(4) Prohibition on restrictions for job corps placement.--A grant or charitable donation under paragraph (1) may not include terms that restrict the placement or employment options of an enrollee or graduate. ``(5) Public reporting.-- The Secretary shall publicly disclose on annual basis a list of grants and charitable donations received under paragraph (1), which shall include the amount and source of each grant or charitable donation and the Job Corps center that was designated as the beneficiary of each grant or charitable donation.''.”
“3208(f)) is amended-- (A) by striking the heading and inserting ``External Funding''; (B) by striking ``The Secretary may accept on behalf of the Job Corps or individual Job Corps centers charitable donations of cash'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--The Secretary (or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate), on behalf of the Job Corps, or a Job Corps center operator, on behalf of such center, may accept grants and charitable donations of cash''; (C) by inserting ``grants and'' before ``donations are''; (D) by striking ``available for appropriate use'' and inserting ``used exclusively''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Transfer of property.--Notwithstanding sections 501(b) and 522 of title 40, United States Code, any property acquired by a Job Corps center shall be directly transferred, on a nonreimbursable basis, to the Secretary.”
“3192).''; and (2) in subsection (c)(2), by adding at the end the following: ``(H) Support for the statutory purposes of the Job Corps program established under section 143 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3193).''. (c) Job Corps Conforming Reforms.-- (1) Success in military recruitment as a graduate of job corps.--Section 142(5) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192(5)) is amended by inserting ``enlisted in the military with a score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test that is above the thirty-first percentile,'' before ``or completed''. (2) Grants to job corps centers.--Section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(D) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term ``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship program that is registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). (b) Extension of Shipbuilding Special Incentive to the Job Corps.--Section 8696 of title 10, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (b)(2), by adding at the end the following: ``(G) The Job Corps program established under section 143 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3193) or an individual Job Corps center operator as defined in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection: (A) Enrollee; job corps; job corps center.--The terms ``enrollee'', ``Job Corps'', and ``Job Corps center'' have the meanings given such terms in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192). (B) Job corps center operator.--The term ``Job Corps center operator'' has the meaning given the term ``operator'' in such section of such Act. (C) Job corps transition hub.--The term ``Job Corps transition hub'' means an advanced career training program under section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) that facilitates the onboarding and retention of enrollees into successful careers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations and registered apprenticeship programs.”
“(3) Job corps trade realignment.--In order to address shortages of skilled industrial workers in the defense industrial base, the Secretary of Defense may, through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills [[Page S3886]] program (or a successor program) and grants accepted by the Secretary of Labor on behalf of a Job Corps center as provided in accordance with section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3208(f)), support the change of trades offered at a Job Corps center, including at a Job Corps transition hub at an existing center or at a new site in close proximity to a shipyard or other defense industrial base suppliers, to align with the needs of the defense industrial base, including through investments in curricula development, equipment, and facilities.”
“(a) Alignment of Job Corps With the Defense Industrial Base.-- (1) In general.--The National Imperative for Industrial Skills program of the Department of Defense (or a successor program) shall maximize the use of and expand on the activities of Job Corps centers and registered apprenticeship programs to train the skilled industrial workers that are needed in the defense industrial base. (2) Referral of military recruits to job corps.--Military recruiters shall make each military recruit who is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code, aware of the opportunity to enroll in Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet the standards for enlistment or learn skills that can contribute to the defense industrial base.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3885-S3886] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6654. Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle C of title VIII, add the following: SEC. 850. JOB CORPS SHIPBUILDING-DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE PIPELINE ACT OF 2026.”
“3195(b)) is amended-- (i) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except with respect to an individual described in paragraph (4),'' before ``the individual''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Individuals exempted from background check.--An individual described in this paragraph is-- ``(A) an individual who is-- ``(i)(I) a member of the Armed Forces eligible for pre- separation counseling of the [[Page S2943]] Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code; or ``(II) a veteran who left the Armed Forces not more than 90 days before the date on which the veteran applies to enroll in the Job Corps; and ``(ii) not ineligible for retired pay as provided by section 12740 of title 10, United States Code; or ``(B) a military recruit who-- ``(i) is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code; and ``(ii) not more than 90 days before the date on which the recruit applies to enroll in the Job Corps, passed a background check as part of the enlistment process.''.”
“(4) Streamlined enrollment of veterans and military recruits into the defense industrial base.-- (A) In general.--Subsection (b) of section 144 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3194) is amended-- (i) in the heading, by inserting ``and Certain Other Armed Forces Members'' after ``Veterans''; and (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or a member of the Armed Forces eligible for pre-separation counseling of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code,'' after ``a veteran''. (B) Background check exemption.--Section 145(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(3) Local authority to realign trades.--Section 151 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3201) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(d) Local Authority.--Subject to the limitations of the budget approved by the Secretary for a Job Corps center, the operator of a Job Corps center shall have the authority, without prior approval from the Secretary, to-- ``(1) hire staff and provide staff professional development; ``(2) set terms and enter into agreements with Federal, State, or local educational partners, such as secondary schools, institutions of higher education, child development centers, units of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs established under section 2031 of title 10, United States Code, or employers; and ``(3) engage with and educate stakeholders (including eligible applicants for the Job Corps) about Job Corps operations, selection procedures, and activities.''.”
“``(3) Prohibition of offset using external funding.--An operator that accepts a grant or charitable donation under paragraph (1) may not use the grant or charitable donation to fulfill the cost of any obligation imposed on the operator under an agreement under section 147. ``(4) Prohibition on restrictions for job corps placement.--A grant or charitable donation under paragraph (1) may not include terms that restrict the placement or employment options of an enrollee or graduate. ``(5) Public reporting.-- The Secretary shall publicly disclose on annual basis a list of grants and charitable donations received under paragraph (1), which shall include the amount and source of each grant or charitable donation and the Job Corps center that was designated as the beneficiary of each grant or charitable donation.''.”
“3208(f)) is amended-- (A) by striking the heading and inserting ``External Funding''; (B) by striking ``The Secretary may accept on behalf of the Job Corps or individual Job Corps centers charitable donations of cash'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--The Secretary (or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate), on behalf of the Job Corps, or a Job Corps center operator, on behalf of such center, may accept grants and charitable donations of cash''; (C) by inserting ``grants and'' before ``donations are''; (D) by striking ``available for appropriate use'' and inserting ``used exclusively''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Transfer of property.--Notwithstanding sections 501(b) and 522 of title 40, United States Code, any property acquired by a Job Corps center shall be directly transferred, on a nonreimbursable basis, to the Secretary.”
“(c) Job Corps Conforming Reforms.-- (1) Success in military recruitment as a graduate of job corps.--Section 142(5) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192(5)) is amended by inserting ``enlisted in the military with a score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test that is above the thirty-first percentile,'' before ``or completed''. (2) Grants to job corps centers.--Section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(D) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term ``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship program that is registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). (b) Extension of Shipbuilding Special Incentive to the Job Corps.--Section 8696(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(G) The Job Corps program established under section 143 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3193) or an individual Job Corps center operator as defined in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192).''.”
“(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection: (A) Enrollee; job corps; job corps center.--The terms ``enrollee'', ``Job Corps'', and ``Job Corps center'' have the meanings given such terms in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192). (B) Job corps center operator.--The term ``Job Corps center operator'' has the meaning given the term ``operator'' in such section of such Act. (C) Job corps transition hub.--The term ``Job Corps transition hub'' means an advanced career training program under section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) that facilitates the onboarding and retention of enrollees into the defense industrial base.”
“(3) Job corps trade realignment.--In order to address shortages of skilled industrial workers in the defense industrial base, the Secretary of Defense may, through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills program (or a successor program) and grants to Job Corps center operators as provided in accordance with section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3208(f)), support the change of trades offered at a Job Corps center, including at a Job Corps transition hub at an existing center or at a new site in close proximity to a shipyard or other defense industrial base suppliers, to align with the needs of the defense industrial base, including through investments in curricula development, equipment, and facilities.”
“(a) Alignment of Job Corps With the Defense Industrial Base.-- (1) In general.--The National Imperative for Industrial Skills program of the Department of Defense (or a successor program) shall maximize the use of and expand on the activities of Job Corps centers and registered apprenticeship programs to train the skilled industrial workers that are needed in the defense industrial base. (2) Referral of military recruits to job corps.--Military recruiters shall make each military recruit who is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code, aware of the opportunity to enroll in Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet the standards for enlistment or learn skills that can contribute to the defense industrial base.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2942-S2943] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 5859. Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle C of title VIII, add the following: SEC. 850. JOB CORPS SHIPBUILDING-DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE PIPELINE ACT OF 2026.”
“3195(b)) is amended-- (i) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``except with respect to an individual described in paragraph (4),'' before ``the individual''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Individuals exempted from background check.--An individual described in this paragraph is-- ``(A) an individual who is-- ``(i)(I) a member of the Armed Forces eligible for pre- separation counseling of the [[Page S2943]] Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code; or ``(II) a veteran who left the Armed Forces not more than 90 days before the date on which the veteran applies to enroll in the Job Corps; and ``(ii) not ineligible for retired pay as provided by section 12740 of title 10, United States Code; or ``(B) a military recruit who-- ``(i) is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code; and ``(ii) not more than 90 days before the date on which the recruit applies to enroll in the Job Corps, passed a background check as part of the enlistment process.''.”
“(4) Streamlined enrollment of veterans and military recruits into the defense industrial base.-- (A) In general.--Subsection (b) of section 144 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3194) is amended-- (i) in the heading, by inserting ``and Certain Other Armed Forces Members'' after ``Veterans''; and (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``or a member of the Armed Forces eligible for pre-separation counseling of the Transition Assistance Program under section 1142 of title 10, United States Code,'' after ``a veteran''. (B) Background check exemption.--Section 145(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(3) Local authority to realign trades.--Section 151 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3201) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(d) Local Authority.--Subject to the limitations of the budget approved by the Secretary for a Job Corps center, the operator of a Job Corps center shall have the authority, without prior approval from the Secretary, to-- ``(1) hire staff and provide staff professional development; ``(2) set terms and enter into agreements with Federal, State, or local educational partners, such as secondary schools, institutions of higher education, child development centers, units of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs established under section 2031 of title 10, United States Code, or employers; and ``(3) engage with and educate stakeholders (including eligible applicants for the Job Corps) about Job Corps operations, selection procedures, and activities.''.”
“``(3) Prohibition of offset using external funding.--An operator that accepts a grant or charitable donation under paragraph (1) may not use the grant or charitable donation to fulfill the cost of any obligation imposed on the operator under an agreement under section 147. ``(4) Prohibition on restrictions for job corps placement.--A grant or charitable donation under paragraph (1) may not include terms that restrict the placement or employment options of an enrollee or graduate. ``(5) Public reporting.-- The Secretary shall publicly disclose on annual basis a list of grants and charitable donations received under paragraph (1), which shall include the amount and source of each grant or charitable donation and the Job Corps center that was designated as the beneficiary of each grant or charitable donation.''.”
“3208(f)) is amended-- (A) by striking the heading and inserting ``External Funding''; (B) by striking ``The Secretary may accept on behalf of the Job Corps or individual Job Corps centers charitable donations of cash'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--The Secretary (or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate), on behalf of the Job Corps, or a Job Corps center operator, on behalf of such center, may accept grants and charitable donations of cash''; (C) by inserting ``grants and'' before ``donations are''; (D) by striking ``available for appropriate use'' and inserting ``used exclusively''; and (E) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Transfer of property.--Notwithstanding sections 501(b) and 522 of title 40, United States Code, any property acquired by a Job Corps center shall be directly transferred, on a nonreimbursable basis, to the Secretary.”
“(c) Job Corps Conforming Reforms.-- (1) Success in military recruitment as a graduate of job corps.--Section 142(5) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192(5)) is amended by inserting ``enlisted in the military with a score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test that is above the thirty-first percentile,'' before ``or completed''. (2) Grants to job corps centers.--Section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.”
“(D) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term ``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship program that is registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.). (b) Extension of Shipbuilding Special Incentive to the Job Corps.--Section 8696(b)(2) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(G) The Job Corps program established under section 143 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3193) or an individual Job Corps center operator as defined in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192).''.”
“(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection: (A) Enrollee; job corps; job corps center.--The terms ``enrollee'', ``Job Corps'', and ``Job Corps center'' have the meanings given such terms in section 142 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192). (B) Job corps center operator.--The term ``Job Corps center operator'' has the meaning given the term ``operator'' in such section of such Act. (C) Job corps transition hub.--The term ``Job Corps transition hub'' means an advanced career training program under section 148 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3198) that facilitates the onboarding and retention of enrollees into the defense industrial base.”
“(3) Job corps trade realignment.--In order to address shortages of skilled industrial workers in the defense industrial base, the Secretary of Defense may, through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills program (or a successor program) and grants to Job Corps center operators as provided in accordance with section 158(f) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3208(f)), support the change of trades offered at a Job Corps center, including at a Job Corps transition hub at an existing center or at a new site in close proximity to a shipyard or other defense industrial base suppliers, to align with the needs of the defense industrial base, including through investments in curricula development, equipment, and facilities.”
“(a) Alignment of Job Corps With the Defense Industrial Base.-- (1) In general.--The National Imperative for Industrial Skills program of the Department of Defense (or a successor program) shall maximize the use of and expand on the activities of Job Corps centers and registered apprenticeship programs to train the skilled industrial workers that are needed in the defense industrial base. (2) Referral of military recruits to job corps.--Military recruiters shall make each military recruit who is ineligible to enlist in the military as a result of the requirements of section 520 of title 10, United States Code, aware of the opportunity to enroll in Job Corps and registered apprenticeship programs in order to meet the standards for enlistment or learn skills that can contribute to the defense industrial base.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2942-S2943] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 5859. Mr. REED (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle C of title VIII, add the following: SEC. 850. JOB CORPS SHIPBUILDING-DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE PIPELINE ACT OF 2026.”
“If you are serious about election fraud, then give the secretaries of state the resources to ensure that ineligible voters do not cast their vote. Defunding them is an invitation for abuse. This isn't, nor should it be, a partisan endeavor. Democrats and Republicans shouldn't be afraid to face the voters, all voters, and compete on the basis of our ideas and aspirations. Trump's Executive order and the SAVE Act show that he has a different agenda, consolidating power for himself, not the people, through dissuading and deterring American citizens from casting their vote, one of the most fundamental values that generations of American service men and women have given their lives to protect, and I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will understand that. I yield the floor to the distinguished Senator from Washington.”
“Efforts by his enablers to discourage absentee voting have already disenfranchised servicemembers. In North Carolina, Republicans have sought to cancel 65,000 votes in a judicial election--an estimated 2,000 to 8,000 of which were military and overseas voters. We are on the brink of exporting this injustice nationwide on a much greater scale. Senator Padilla is right to sound the alarm about this, and I am proud to join him. We want to help our fellow citizens participate in our elections because only their participation will ensure that the government is truly accountable to the people it represents. And as the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that handles election funding, I hope my colleagues will join me in restoring funding for election security grants to the States to the total of $75 million.”
“And as my colleague from Colorado pointed out, a better mathematician than I, that is a fractional portion of the American public. And make no mistake, they would suffer the consequences if they did vote illegally, these noncitizens. But we do not need a complete overhaul of our election systems and to strip millions of American citizens of voting rights in order to combat a problem that nonpartisan election experts tell us is already addressed by current law. The real reasons for this policy are to support Trump's Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen, even though he lost by roughly 7 million votes, to sow mistrust in our government, to deter people from voting. This is all in service of President Trump's insatiable desire for power and his insatiable ego.”