WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus and a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (D-VA), and U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Joint legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01).

“Growing up working in our family’s ironworking business and later serving as the principal of a technical school in Honduras, I’ve seen firsthand the impact career and technical education can have on people,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce this legislation and will continue to fight to expand access to CTE programming to ensure all Virginians have the skills they need to fill critical jobs.”

“Career and Technical Education programs don’t just help provide students with the skills they need to enter the workforce, they are pivotal to breaking the ‘bachelors or bust’, one-size-fits-all approach to education and career preparedness,” said Sen. Budd. “CTE Month recognizes the programs and hard-working educators who have helped train millions of Americans with the expertise to go into the workforce and keep America building and innovating.”

“I’m committed to creating pathways to connect Wisconsinites to good-paying careers in the trades and making sure businesses across the state have the workforce they need to grow and thrive. Career and Technical Education is a worthwhile investment in Wisconsin’s students, workforce, and future, and I’m proud to join my Republican and Democratic colleagues to show just that,” said Sen. Baldwin.

“This resolution recognizes the importance of career and technical education and encourages more educators and students to seek out CTE programs,” said Sen. Young. “Preparing the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow will lead to more opportunities, a stronger economy, and a highly skilled workforce.”

“Career and Technical Education helps strengthen our workforce and prepares students for employment in a wide range of exciting positions,” Rep. Thompson said. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to celebrate the role CTE plays in our country and the countless contributions made by CTE professionals and educators.”

“As co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleague Rep. Thompson and Senators Kaine and Baldwin to recognize February as CTE Month,” said Rep. Bonamici. “CTE provides critical opportunities for students to prosper academically and learn marketable skills. Investments in CTE support domestic manufacturing and infrastructure, laying a strong foundation for the country’s future.”

“We are thrilled to support the bipartisan and bicameral 2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month Resolution, reflecting our continued national commitment to high-quality CTE programs that help learners across the country succeed in their educational journeys, secure rewarding careers, and enhance their economic mobility,” said Kate Kreamer, Advance CTE’s Executive Director. “The broad support for this resolution strengthens our network of state CTE leaders and highlights CTE’s vital role in connecting education to workforce and economic development across communities nationwide.“

“ACTE is proud to endorse the bipartisan 2026 Career and Technical Education Month Resolution. CTE is essential in preparing learners for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers that strengthen our workforce and drive economic growth. CTE Month celebrates the dedication and impact of students, educators and administrators, while underscoring the importance of sustained, strong investment in these programs. ACTE appreciates the ongoing leadership and support of the House and Senate CTE Caucuses in advancing CTE nationwide,” said LeAnn Curry, ACTE Executive Director.

As a member of the CTE Caucus and HELP Committee, Kaine is a leading supporter of career and technical education and expanding access to CTE programming. In December, Kaine introduced the bipartisan Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act, legislation to expand access to digital skills training for American job-seekers. Last year, key provisions from Kaine’s Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act were signed into law to help more Americans get good-paying jobs by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants—need-based education grants for lower-income individuals—to pay for shorter-term job training programs for the first time.

In the Senate, Kaine, Budd, Baldwin, and Young were joined in the introduction by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Katie Britt (R-AL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In the House, Thompson and Bonamici were joined in the introduction by U.S. Representatives Aaron Bean (R-FL-04), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Bryan Steil (R-WI-01), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03), James Moylan (R-Guam-At-large), Josh Harder (D-CA-09), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-04), John Carter (R-TX-31), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), and Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

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