This bill blocks the Department of the Interior from implementing layoffs or involuntary separations (except for misconduct or performance issues) at any agency or bureau until Congress passes full-year funding for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects all employees in the competitive service, excepted service, and Senior Executive Service within the Department of the Interior. The key provision creates a moratorium on workforce reductions, requiring full FY2026 appropriations before any layoff actions can proceed.
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 CLOSE Act terminates temporary pandemic unemployment benefit programs established under the CARES Act, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, after a 30-day grace period following enactment. It also cancels (rescinds) unused federal funds that were allocated for these programs but not yet spent. This directly affects states administering these benefits and individuals who received pandemic-era unemployment support. The bill stops future payments and returns unobligated funds to the Treasury without altering benefits already paid.
The CLOSE Act terminates three federal unemployment assistance programs established under the CARES Act, ending all future payments 30 days after the bill's enactment. It cancels unspent funds that were allocated for these programs, requiring states to return unused money to the federal government. This directly affects states administering the CARES Act unemployment programs but does not change current benefits for individuals already receiving assistance. The bill focuses on ending future funding and reclaiming unused resources, with no impact on existing recipients.
The SHIELD Act would change unemployment benefit eligibility by barring workers from receiving regular unemployment compensation if they are unemployed due to a strike or labor dispute they are participating in, financially supporting, or have a direct interest in (excluding lockouts). This rule would require states to adjust their unemployment programs to deny benefits in such cases. The changes would take effect two years after the bill becomes law, though states could choose to implement them sooner. The bill also repeals a federal tax provision related to unemployment tax rates, but this is a secondary provision.
