Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg delivered remarks on July 21 at a committee markup session considering ten bills aimed at strengthening education, supporting workers, and expanding opportunity.
Walberg said, “Today the Committee will consider 10 bills that aim to strengthen the American workforce, prevent harmful regulations, hold union leaders accountable, protect the rights of students and parents, encourage healthy habits among children, and ensure students and educators are prepared to use AI tools safely and effectively in the classroom.”
Among the legislation under consideration is H.R. 8781, Title IX Clarification Act of 2026. Walberg said this bill would codify a recent Supreme Court ruling stating that ‘sex’ under Title IX refers to biological sex. The committee also considered H.R. 4986, Parents Opt-in Protection Act introduced by Representative Mary Miller; H.R. 8747, K-12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act of 2026 by Representative Randy Fine; H.R. 8183, Modernizing Access to Talents, Careers, and Hiring Act (MATCH Act) by Representative Burgess Owens; H.R. 9723 Fit Future Act by Representative Ryan Mackenzie; H.R. 8660 Valuing Employee Stock Today Act (VEST Act) also by Mackenzie; H.R. 8347 Reinforcing Underserved Rural and Local Healthcare Act (Rural Healthcare Act) again by Owens; H.R. 6213 Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025 by Representative Mark Messmer; H.R. 8775 Ending Predator Access to Union Power Act by Representative Joe Wilson; and finally H.R. 5267 American Franchise Act.
Walberg outlined key provisions for each bill during his statement: “The Committee will also consider…H.R. 8747…The bill helps schools direct federal funds where they will have the greatest impact while ensuring teachers and students get the AI training and support they need.” He continued with descriptions for each measure being marked up.
The House Education and Workforce Committee manages federal programs concerning education, labor, health care policy oversight as well as workforce development initiatives, according to the official website. The committee influences policy areas such as student loans and worker protections while serving in the legislative sector with jurisdiction over both education- and labor-related matters.
Concluding his remarks on all ten pieces of legislation under review at this session, Walberg said: “This legislation codifies the direct control joint-employer test for the franchise industry…which will help Americans to start and grow their franchise businesses with less fear and uncertainty.”