U.S. Senators from both parties have expressed their opposition to the sudden closure of Job Corps Centers, urging the Department of Labor (DOL) to reverse its decision. The group includes Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), and other committee members such as John Boozman (R-AR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
In a letter addressed to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the senators requested that the department retract its announcement of closing all Job Corps Centers, a decision initiated on May 29, 2025. They emphasized that this action would negatively impact students and local economies nationwide.
“Job Corps has served millions of young people, ages 16 to 24, many of whom face significant economic and social challenges, develop the skills and resilience they need to succeed in work and in life through intensive education, training, and support services in a residential setting since its creation in 1964,” stated the senators.
The lawmakers highlighted the importance of maintaining operations at these centers for providing essential education and training opportunities. “Abruptly canceling contracts for the nation’s Job Corps centers will leave students and communities in the lurch,” they wrote. They urged Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to ensure compliance with the Fiscal Year 2025 Continuing Resolution Act signed by President Trump, which allocates $1.76 billion for Job Corps.
Job Corps is noted as being a significant national program offering career training across all U.S. states with over 60,000 new enrollments each year. Each center reportedly supports an average of 228 jobs.
The senators further stressed that Job Corps plays a critical role in filling workforce gaps by recruiting young individuals who are out of labor force participation and equipping them with necessary skills for various important trades.
“Abruptly canceling contracts for the nation’s Job Corps centers will leave students and communities in the lurch,” reiterated the letter while expressing willingness to collaborate on enhancing program efficacy.
They concluded by requesting a prompt response from Secretary Chavez-DeRemer no later than June 24, 2025.
