Lobby Congress to conduct oversight hearings in 2026 on early implementation and to consider lifting any sunset or funding cap on Workforce Pell.
Use congressional oversight to keep Workforce Pell implementation on track and to protect the program from being weakened after early bumps. Push for 2026 hearings that surface real rollout barriers and pair them with targeted fixes like adjusting sunsets or funding caps. This matters because early negative reports can invite restrictive changes unless lawmakers stay invested in program success.
Why this works
- Keeps bipartisan lawmakers invested in the program’s success and can lead to tweaks (e.g.
- expanding eligibility to more providers or increasing grant amounts if needed).
Sierra Club
AdvocacyExploring, enjoying, and protecting the planet
Mechanism
About LobbyingHow Sierra Club uses funding
- Track early rollout signals and compile evidence on what is working and what is blocking access
- Brief committee staff and bipartisan champions on barriers and fix options
- Advocate for oversight hearings in 2026 focused on quality guardrails, access, and workable reporting
- Recruit credible witnesses from schools, states, and workforce systems to testify
- Push targeted legislative adjustments to sunsets or funding caps based on implementation needs
- Counter restrictive proposals by highlighting guardrails and transparent outcome reporting
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Assemble early implementation evidence
Near-termA memo summarizes early rollout barriers and proposed fixes
- 2
Secure committee interest for oversight
2026Committees schedule briefings or request information from the Department of Education
- 3
Hold an oversight hearing
2026Hearing record centers on quality, access, and workable reporting
- 4
Advance adjustments to caps or sunsets
2026Legislative language moves in committee or is attached to a moving bill
- 5
Translate oversight into implementation changes
2026Agencies and states incorporate lessons into clearer guidance or processes