Appropriations Continues to Take Shape Amid New AI Announcements

This week, bipartisan support for Career Technical Education continued in the House as the FY27 appropriations process moves forward ahead of a scheduled two-week Congressional recess. Elsewhere, the White House released a national legislative framework on artificial intelligence (AI), and the U.S. Department of Labor announced a new initiative regarding AI literacy.

Appropriations Continues to Take Shape Amid New AI Announcements

This week, bipartisan support for Career Technical Education continued in the House as the FY27 appropriations process moves forward ahead of a scheduled two-week Congressional recess. Elsewhere, the White House released a national legislative framework on artificial intelligence (AI), and the U.S. Department of Labor announced a new initiative regarding AI literacy.

Public Policy
• March 27, 2026

Appropriations Continue Ahead of Congressional Recess

This week on Capitol Hill, the early stages of fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations continued, with the House deadline for member requests set for today. A “Dear Colleague Letter” circulated by House CTE Caucus co-Chairs, Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) has garnered 57 signatures, signaling continued bipartisan support for Career Technical Education (CTE) through strengthened federal investment in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act’s (Perkins V) state grant program. As previously reported, the Senate Appropriations Committee issued its own guidance on appropriations requests ahead of FY27, with April 21 as the submission deadline.

Advance CTE will share additional information regarding similar efforts in the Senate as it becomes available.

Both chambers of Congress are scheduled to begin a two-week recess today, with lawmakers in both the House and Senate set to spend time in states and districts. This is an important opportunity for members of the CTE community to meet with lawmakers during their home work period. As previously reported, Congress awaits the President’s budget request later this month or early next month.

Advance CTE will continue to advocate for a greater investment in CTE as the FY27 process moves forward.

Administration Advances Artificial Intelligence Policy with Workforce Focus

Last Friday, the Trump administration advanced its artificial intelligence (AI) agenda by releasing a national AI legislative framework. The framework outlines six core priorities, including protecting children online, safeguarding communities, supporting intellectual property rights, preventing censorship, enabling innovation, and developing an AI-ready workforce. The framework’s emphasis on workforce development underscores the Trump administration’s continued interest in AI, along with the need to prepare learners and workers to leverage these technologies thoughtfully. Read the framework here.

Complementing the White House’s AI framework, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced efforts this week through a new “Make America AI-Ready” initiative to expand access to AI literacy skills. The initiative creates a text-message-based program that provides AI literacy training over 7 days, requiring participants to spend less than 10 minutes per day, and aligns with the broader AI Literacy Framework and Talent Strategy efforts to integrate AI skill development into workforce systems. Read more about the initiative here.