Joe Courtney

Job Corps and Skilled Defense Workforce Act

The proposal would direct the Department of Defense to coordinate the federal Job Corps program—which trains young people in various trades and skills—with the needs of defense manufacturers and contractors who build military equipment and weapons. This would help ensure that Job Corps graduates have the skills employers in the defense industry are actually looking for, potentially creating a pipeline of trained workers for defense-related jobs. The bill affects young people seeking job training, defense companies, and the military's supply chain.

Recognizing the significance of "Community College Month" in April as a celebration of more than 1,000 institutions throughout the United States supporting access to higher education, workforce training, and more, broadly sustaining and advancing the Nation's economic prosperity.

This resolution designates April as "Community College Month" to recognize the more than 1,000 community colleges across the United States that provide affordable education and job training to millions of students. Community colleges help people gain skills for careers, earn degrees, and access higher education without the high costs of four-year universities, which supports both individual economic mobility and the nation's workforce needs. The resolution is a symbolic measure that celebrates these institutions' role in strengthening the economy and expanding educational opportunities.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program".

Congress is considering blocking a new Department of Education rule about federal student loans, which would overturn the rule if approved. The rule affects millions of students and borrowers who use federal Direct Loans to pay for college. This is a procedural vote that would prevent the Education Department's changes from taking effect.

Student Loan Interest Elimination Act

This bill would eliminate interest charges on federal student loans, meaning borrowers would only repay the original amount they borrowed without paying extra money on top. The change would affect millions of current and future college students by reducing the total cost of their education debt. The proposal has been sent to congressional committees for review and debate.

Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2025

Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2025 This bill deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as an inpatient for purposes of satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital-stay requirement with respect to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. (Generally, individuals must have been an inpatient at a hospital for at least three days in order to qualify for SNF services. An individual's time spent under observation at a hospital for purposes of determining whether the individual should be admitted does not count towards this requirement.)

Protecting America’s Workers Act

The legislation would strengthen workplace protections and enforcement mechanisms for American workers across various industries. It aims to give workers better tools to report violations, protect them from retaliation when they speak up about unsafe or unfair conditions, and increase penalties for employers who break labor laws. The changes would affect both private sector employees and potentially government contractors who work with federal agencies.

SERVICE Act

Strengthening Efforts for Relief and Vital Incentives for Community Service and Engagement Act or the SERVICE Act This bill makes changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Under the current PSLF program, the Department of Education (ED) must cancel the balance of interest and principal due on a borrower's Federal Direct Loans after the borrower makes 120 monthly loan payments while employed in a public service job and, at the time of loan forgiveness, the borrower is employed in a public service job. Among other changes to the PSLF program, this bill reduces from 120 to 96 the number of monthly payments required for loan forgiveness; expands qualifying monthly payments, deferments, and forbearances allowed under the PSLF program; removes the requirement that a borrower must be employed in a public service job at the time of loan forgiveness; establishes a reconsideration process for borrowers who have their initial PSLF application denied; and prohibits interest capitalization on loans after deferment or forbearance. The bill directs ED to (1) establish an online portal that provides borrowers with information on loans and the PSLF program, and (2) establish and regularly update a database listing public service jobs. The bill allows an eligible teacher to use the same teaching service to qualify for both the Teacher Loan Forgiveness program and the PSLF program. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on the feasibility of establishing data matching agreements for PSLF that allows borrowers to forgo requesting employment certification from their employer.

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and similar sectors. Specifically, Labor must issue an occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors. Among other elements, the standard must require each employer to (1) develop a workplace violence prevention plan, (2) promptly investigate incidents of workplace violence, and (3) provide relevant training and education to employees. The bill requires certain hospitals and skilled nursing facilities to comply with this standard as a condition of Medicare participation.

Hidden Fee Disclosure Act of 2025

This bill would require employers to clearly disclose all fees they charge workers, such as uniform costs, tool purchases, or training expenses, upfront before hiring or deducting money from paychecks. The goal is to prevent workers from being surprised by unexpected charges that reduce their actual take-home pay. The law would apply to most employers and give workers better information about the true cost of employment.