The Workforce Investment Act, enacted in 1998, aims to enhance the capacities of the national workforce and improve working conditions. The Act, which funds workforce education, career pathways programs, and other programs typically aimed at assisting low-income and other vulnerable populations, has not been reauthorized since its passage; however, in March 2013, the House of Representatives showed renewed interest in this legislation by passing the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act. The SKILLS Act and its implications for the education sector are reviewed in this brief. This brief outlines concerns from both proponents and opponents about the SKILLS Act and possible impacts on education, including: (1) Key programs that help disadvantaged and low-income youth obtain their Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED), access job training, and enter the workforce will be cut; (2) Higher unemployment and a shortage of skilled workers among the populations WIA targets could lead to changing roles of universities and community and technical colleges; (3) Individual program areas won't be guaranteed funding; and (4) Decisions about reductions could carry over to other education legislation, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

Some vols. include supplemental journals of "such proceedings of the sessions, as, during the time they were depending, were ordered to be kept secret, and respecting which the injunction of secrecy was afterwards taken off by the order of the House".

The next time you need to find out who is the most effective person to advocate your cause, turn to the Almanac of the Unelected for all the answers. The Almanac of the Unelected contains in-depth profiles on key congressional staff members that you will not find elsewhere. The information provided on these personnel gives you not only the contact information and other pertinent data but also the inside track to those people. These are the staffers who work with and support the representatives and senators in various important roles that help to enact change or refine existing laws and codes that govern our nation. With all the changes that have taken place this essential resource has never been more important or more valuable.