PSI Sci
New here? Follow the money and the votes · Not sure of your district? Find your U.S. House member · Find your state legislators

S. 163: Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act

Before you vote › Federal bills

S. 163: Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-02-02 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-75.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-02-02 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: By Senator Cantwell from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 117-75. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act

Plain summary

Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act This bill establishes measures to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry. Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish an interagency working group to develop recommendations for addressing these workforce needs. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Labor to establish and issue guidance on how states can address the workforce needs and safety of the telecommunications industry. In particular, the guidance must address how a state workforce development board can (1) utilize federal resources available to meet telecommunications industry workforce needs; (2) promote and improve recruitment in qualified industry-led workforce development programs, including the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program; and (3) ensure the safety of tower climbers and other members of the telecommunications workforce. The Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress a report that estimates the number of skilled telecommunications workers that will be required to build and maintain (1) broadband infrastructure in rural areas, and (2) the 5G wireless infrastructure needed to support 5G wireless technology.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD] · 5 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 163, Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act (2021-05-20)

Cosponsors on this site

Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Raphael G. Warnock (D-GA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD] reported raising $4.7 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-s163 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117