With a faltering economy as the backdrop, Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over the reauthorization of the largest federal jobs-training program. In 1998, both houses agreed to consolidate more than 60 jobs-training programs. Now, the original law is up for reauthorization. Currently, both the House and Senate have passed reauthorization measures (HR 1261 and S 1627), but Senate Democrats have refused to allow the bills to move to conference. The bill will likely remain stalled so long as Democrats insist language from the Senate bill concerning consolidation of funding replaces the House language. Democrats have charged that the language in the House version gives undue power and authority to governors. Also, the House language would allow federal funding to be provided to faith-based organizations that discriminate in hiring based on religion. The Senate version bars such organizations from receiving federal funds.

Democrats' insistence on the Senate version has led House Republicans to charge that they are not committed to providing aid to American workers. Democrats have responded by saying that the Republican measures have little to do with job-training programs.