WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans are pushing legislation that would end or consolidate dozens of overlapping job-training programs to make it easier for job seekers to gain the skills they need.

It's a goal shared by President Barack Obama, but the GOP bill faces the same partisan differences that hobble much of what comes before Congress.

Obama last year said he wanted to "cut through the maze of confusing training programs" so people have a direct path to the help they require. Republicans say that is what their bill does, consolidating 35 federal programs and creating a single fund to support employers and job seekers.

The bill is expected to pass Friday, but Democrats, saying they were shut out of the process, will largely oppose it.

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