This bill reauthorizes and updates the CAREER Act, focusing on supporting individuals with substance use disorders through employment and recovery services. It increases annual funding for treatment, recovery, and workforce support grants from $5 million to $12 million (2026-2030), prioritizing areas with the highest 2018-2022 drug overdose deaths, unemployment, and low job market participation. The bill allows up to 5% of grant funds for transportation to work, job training, or recovery services, and extends the Recovery Housing Pilot Program through 2030. It directly affects communities and individuals impacted by substance use disorders by linking federal funding to measurable local needs.
HR 5572, the Help FEDS Act, ensures federal employees who must work during government shutdowns (but aren't paid due to the shutdown) can access unemployment benefits through their state's program. The bill requires states to allow these "excepted" employees to apply for and receive unemployment compensation during fiscal years 2026-2027, while also mandating repayment if they later receive pay under a separate federal provision. The federal government will reimburse states 100% of the unemployment benefits paid to these employees plus related administrative costs, funded from the Unemployment Trust Fund. This directly affects federal workers performing emergency work during shutdowns and state unemployment systems managing these claims.
This bill (HR 1988) provides unemployment benefits eligibility for certain federal workers and military members during government shutdowns. It deems eligible employees - such as military personnel, NOAA Commissioned Corps members, and excepted civilian workers performing emergency duties - as "totally separated from federal service" during funding gaps. This allows them to access unemployment benefits immediately, without waiting periods, for weeks of unemployment starting March 14, 2025. The bill directly affects federal employees who remain on duty but are unpaid due to shutdowns.
This bill adds striking workers to the eligibility pool for unemployment insurance. It amends federal tax law (Internal Revenue Code §3304(a)) to allow workers unable to work due to labor disputes - like strikes or lockouts - to receive benefits starting 14 days after the dispute begins, or at specific triggers such as when an employer hires permanent replacements. It also removes work availability requirements for these workers under the Social Security Act. The policy directly affects workers participating in labor disputes who lose income due to strikes or lockouts.
This bill transfers unused funds from the Internal Revenue Code's Section 9006(a) fund to the Unemployment Trust Fund's Employment Security Administration Account. The funds will support state programs providing reemployment services and eligibility assessments for unemployment benefits. It directly affects state unemployment agencies administering these services by providing additional resources for job training and benefit verification. The change involves reallocating existing unobligated funds without creating new taxes or spending.
HR 2655 would end the federal income tax on unemployment compensation for most recipients starting in 2025. It amends the tax code to remove the requirement that unemployment benefits be included in taxable income after December 31, 2024. This means individuals receiving unemployment benefits in 2025 or later would not owe federal income tax on those payments. The change applies to all eligible unemployment benefits received after the 2024 deadline, effectively sunsetting the existing tax treatment.
The Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 would expand unemployment insurance eligibility to workers unable to work due to labor disputes, including strikes or lockouts. It sets a 14-day waiting period (or earlier if replacements are hired, a lockout starts, or the dispute ends) before benefits begin, treating these workers as "unemployed" under federal law. The bill also removes the standard requirement for these workers to actively seek other employment to qualify for benefits. This directly affects workers involved in labor disputes, such as those on strike or unable to work due to employer lockouts.
HR 4439, the Unemployment Insurance Modernization and Recession Readiness Act, modernizes unemployment insurance by providing full federal funding for extended benefits instead of state funding, increasing the number of weeks available during high unemployment periods, and improving how benefit amounts are calculated. The bill establishes minimum standards for regular unemployment benefits including a 26-week minimum duration, a minimum wage replacement rate of 75%, and a maximum benefit amount based on state average wages. It eliminates waiting weeks before benefits begin, expands eligibility for certain groups including student-workers and victims of violence or harassment, and creates a new jobseeker allowance program with specific eligibility criteria and a weekly payment of $250 (adjusted for inflation). The legislation also includes provisions for dependents' allowances and ensures extended benefits are exempt from sequestration (budget cuts).
This bill requires states to allow federal employees who must work during government shutdowns (called "excepted employees") to receive unemployment benefits for those weeks in 2026-2027. If an employee later receives pay from the government for the same period, they must repay the state unemployment fund. The federal government will reimburse states 100% of the unemployment benefits paid to these employees plus related administrative costs. The bill directly affects federal workers required to work during shutdowns and state unemployment systems managing these claims. It creates a clear process for benefits and repayment during shutdowns in 2026-2027.
This bill changes how federal law determines if an independent worker (like a freelancer or gig worker) is classified as an employee. It prevents employers from using portable benefits (such as health insurance or retirement plans maintained without ongoing work) as a factor in that determination. Specifically, it prohibits considering whether a worker has access to benefits common to full-time employees, receives employer contributions to benefits, or contributes to benefits. As a result, independent workers who currently lack employee status for benefits may become eligible for protections like minimum wage, overtime, and unemployment insurance under federal law.
