H.R. 714 — Jobs Now Act of 2025

This section establishes a two-year pilot program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to award competitive grants from $1 billion authorized for FY2026 and FY2027 to units of general local government or community-based organizations. Grantees must use at least 50% of funds to retain employees providing public services who face layoff due to budget cuts (or less if sufficient for retention), with remaining funds available to employ or train individuals for new public service positions (or private sector services, for organizations). (As background, WIOA national programs support workforce development, including employment and training services.) The Secretary of Labor must prioritize grants for veterans, individuals with disabilities, those receiving unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers; and must prioritize units or organizations in areas with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates. Grantees must submit applications as specified, and not later than two years after the first appropriation, the Secretary must report to Congress on individuals hired, trained, or retained and best practices for such programs.