{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-kennedy-introduces-tech-act-level-playing-field-technical-colleges", "Rep. Mike Kennedy introduces the TECH Act to Level the Playing Field for Technical Colleges", "2026-03-30", "2026", "2026-03", "Republican", "House", "UT", "Mike Kennedy", "K000403", "mikekennedy.house.gov", "mikekennedy", "https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) introduced the Transforming Education through College and Hands-On Training Act, the TECH Act, to level the playing field for qualified technical schools by expanding their eligibility for four existing federal grant programs, at no new cost to taxpayers. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) and Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) are co-leading this legislation.\n\n\u201cI spent years in school, first training to be a doctor, then to be a lawyer, and I have eight kids who are at various stages of figuring out their own paths forward. I know firsthand just how much we've built our entire system around the assumption that a four-year university degree is the only road worth taking. But I can tell you that assumption is failing America,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy. \u201cWe need skilled nurses, trained technicians, and qualified tradespeople just as badly as we need lawyers and doctors \u2014 maybe more so right now. The TECH Act is about making sure that choosing a different path doesn't mean getting less support. America needs every one of these students to succeed.\u201d\n\n\u201cMillions of Americans are choosing short-term, hands-on training to build real skills for in-demand careers, yet outdated federal policies have left these programs behind,\u201d said Sen. John Curtis. \u201cOur commonsense, cost-neutral legislation will align our education system with the realities of today\u2019s workforce\u2014closing skills gaps and expanding opportunities for Americans ready to get to work.\u201d\n\n\"America was built by people who learned a trade, mastered a skill, and went to work. For too long, the federal government has locked qualified technical schools out of grant programs that most other institutions of higher education can access,\" said Congressman Burgess Owens. \u201cWith growing gaps in our workforce, it's time that we rethink our approach to education. The TECH Act opens the door for resources to get to where they're needed \u2014 the programs that are filling our workforce gap and preparing students for real-world, high-demand job\"\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech), we thank Congressman Kennedy for his leadership in introducing the TECH Act,\u201d said President of Uintah Basin Technical College, Brian Weight. \u201cBy opening access to key federal grant programs historically limited to 2- and 4-year institutions, this bill recognizes the essential role technical colleges play in preparing students for high-need fields. It will enable us to expand short-term, industry-aligned training, strengthen employer partnerships, and connect more Utah students to in-demand careers.\u201d\n\n\"Technical colleges and universities are partners in higher education,\u201d said Dixie Technical College President, Jordan Rushton. \u201cWhen we both have the resources we need, more students succeed. The TECH Act helps make that possible.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nMillions of Americans pursue short-term technical training programs to build career-ready skills in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and national security\n\nCurrent federal law restricts eligibility for major grant programs to two- and four-year institutions of higher education \u2014 leaving qualified technical colleges entirely locked out\n\nThis gap forces technical schools to compete for students and resources without access to the same federal support available to traditional colleges and universities\n\nThe TECH Act:\n\nGrants qualified technical schools equal eligibility to participate in four existing federal grant programs \u2014 at no new cost to taxpayers\n\nThe four programs opened up are: the Strengthening Institutions Program, the Federal TRIO Program, the CCAMPIS Program, and the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants\n\nRequires the Secretaries of Education and Labor to update eligibility criteria and application procedures within 180 days of enactment\n\nDirects agencies to issue guidance on how grants should be distributed to ensure an adequate workforce pipeline in critical sectors", 1, "2026-06-26T06:29:35Z", "2026-06-26T06:31:46Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mikekennedy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mike-kennedy-introduces-tech-act-level-playing-field-technical-colleges"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8485659491270781, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}