WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2025 — The Cleaning Coalition of America (CCA) today applauded the reintroduction of workforce development legislation led by Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). The bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (EWEA) aims to address critical labor shortages and strengthen employment opportunities for U.S. workers.
“The business community is calling on Congress to provide market-driven solutions that bolster our workforce and protect American jobs,” said Patrick Dunnigan, executive director of the CCA. “The CCA applauds Reps. Smucker and Cuellar for reintroducing this much-needed legislation in the 119th Congress.”
EWEA would establish a new nonimmigrant visa category to help fill year-round, in-demand jobs in the United States that do not require a college degree. By issuing up to 85,000 temporary worker visas in areas with low unemployment, the H-2C temporary worker program aims to ease worker shortages and reduce inflationary pressure in the job market.
The nation’s commercial cleaning industry continues to experience significant recruitment challenges. While highlighted during the pandemic, this prolonged, sector-wide labor shortage of frontline employees creates ongoing operational challenges for property managers in specific U.S. markets.
U.S. employers seeking to hire H-2C workers would first need to demonstrate to federal authorities that no local American workers are available to fill the position. Once approved, companies may hire eligible, vetted workers from abroad who can work for the approved employer for up to nine years.
The Critical Labor Coalition (CLC), of which CCA is a member, lists passage of EWEA as one of its top legislative priorities.
“The Critical Labor Coalition applauds Congressmen Smucker and Cuellar for their continued leadership in addressing America’s workforce challenges,” CLC Executive Director Misty Chally said. “EWEA is a commonsense solution that creates legal pathways for employers to fill in-demand positions in the face of an ongoing labor shortage.”
About CCA
Founded in 2020 by the nation’s leading facilities services companies, the Cleaning Coalition of America advocates on behalf of professional cleaners nationwide to shape and advance balanced, common-sense policies and cleanliness standards that promote a safe and healthy workplace.