SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, has joined a bipartisan group of senators in urging the Department of Labor to reverse its decision to close Job Corps Centers across the country. The letter, addressed to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, was also signed by Senators Susan Collins, Jack Reed, Patty Murray, Tammy Baldwin, John Boozman, Jeanne Shaheen, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Jeff Merkley.

The senators expressed concern over the impact of closing these centers on students and local economies. "The sudden announcement that the Department of Labor began the process of closing all Job Corps Centers on May 29, 2025, will harm students and local economies in every state across the nation," they wrote. They urged for retraction of this decision and adherence to the Fiscal Year 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act which allocates $1.76 billion for Job Corps.

Highlighting the importance of Job Corps since its inception in 1964, they noted its role in helping young people develop necessary skills through education and training. "Job Corps has helped millions of young people...develop the skills and resilience they need to succeed in work and in life," they stated.

The letter further warned about potential consequences for communities if contracts for these centers are abruptly canceled. "Abruptly canceling contracts for the nation’s Job Corps Centers will leave students and communities in the lurch," they emphasized.

The senators expressed willingness to collaborate with Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to enhance the program but stressed compliance with existing resolutions to reopen all centers.