June 23, 2025 3:15 p.m. 

On Monday, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined a bipartisan group of senators to urge Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to reverse the agency’s decision to begin the closure of Job Corps Centers in Oregon and nationwide.

A release said the lawmakers are on the Appropriations Committee, which oversees all government funding.

The letter said, “Job Corps has helped millions of young people, ages 16 to 24, many of whom face significant economic and social challenges, develop the skills and resilience they need to succeed in work and life through intensive education, training and support services in a residential setting since its creation in 1964”. The letter continued, “The sudden closure of Job Corps Centers not only puts young people’s lives at risk, but local communities will pay a steep price, especially the thousands of individuals who work at the Centers and will lose their livelihoods”.

Merkley previously joined 39 Se

On Monday, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined a bipartisan group of senators to urge Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to reverse the agency’s decision to begin the closure of Job Corps Centers in Oregon and nationwide.

A release said the lawmakers are on the Appropriations Committee, which oversees all government funding.

The letter said, “Job Corps has helped millions of young people, ages 16 to 24, many of whom face significant economic and social challenges, develop the skills and resilience they need to succeed in work and life through intensive education, training and support services in a residential setting since its creation in 1964”. The letter continued, “The sudden closure of Job Corps Centers not only puts young people’s lives at risk, but local communities will pay a steep price, especially the thousands of individuals who work at the Centers and will lose their livelihoods”.

Merkley previously joined 39 Senate colleagues to demand Labor Secretary Chavez-Demer reverse what he believes are illegal and unconstitutional cuts to the Job Corps program.

The letter from the Senators concluded: “Abruptly canceling contracts for the nation’s Job Corps Centers will leave students and communities in the lurch and will undermine opportunities for young people to get the education and training to succeed in valuable trades. While we would be pleased to work with you to improve the Job Corps program to do even more to serve our young people and address growing workforce needs, it is essential that you faithfully implement the program in accordance with the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution and reopen all Job Corp Centers”.

The complete text of the Senate Appropriator’s letter can be read at: https://www.collins.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_dol_re_job_corps_06172025.pdf

 

nate colleagues to demand Labor Secretary Chavez-Demer reverse what he believes are illegal and unconstitutional cuts to the Job Corps program.

The letter from the Senators concluded: “Abruptly canceling contracts for the nation’s Job Corps Centers will leave students and communities in the lurch and will undermine opportunities for young people to get the education and training to succeed in valuable trades. While we would be pleased to work with you to improve the Job Corps program to do even more to serve our young people and address growing workforce needs, it is essential that you faithfully implement the program in accordance with the FY 2025 Continuing Resolution and reopen all Job Corp Centers”.

The complete text of the Senate Appropriator’s letter can be read at: https://www.collins.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_to_dol_re_job_corps_06172025.pdf