Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

in committee · United States · House Sep 8, 2025

HR 5206: Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment benefits for striking workers, removing job search requirement - directly strengthens worker protections during labor disputes95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Gig Economy Unemployment

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in committee · United States · House Feb 7, 2025

HR 1119: Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025

HR 1119, the Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025, requires unemployed individuals applying for regular benefits to actively engage with job opportunities by responding to work-related requests, attending required interviews, and complying with reasonable assessments like drug tests or skills evaluations. It also mandates the Secretary of Labor to study increasing random audits of unemployment claims and potentially expand these audits to improve program integrity. Additionally, the bill links federal funding for extended unemployment benefits to states adopting these new requirements, stating that states must include the interview and compliance provisions before receiving federal funds for extended benefits. These changes directly affect unemployed workers seeking benefits and state unemployment programs administering the system.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill mandates active job-seeking for benefits and increases audits, restricting access to unemployment claims per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment

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in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2025

HR 4439: Unemployment Insurance Modernization and Recession Readiness Act

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).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides full federal funding for unemployment benefits instead of state funding, eliminating state budget burdens and ensuring consistent support during recessions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases unemployment benefit duration (26 weeks min), wage replacement (75%), and federal funding, expanding worker support during job loss.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Unemployment

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 30, 2025

S 2948: Help FEDS Act

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides unemployment benefits to federal workers during shutdowns, ensuring income security without state burden, aligning with worker benefit expansion90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 8, 2025

S 2210: Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors to deny employee benefits, advancing access to workplace protections and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 3648: Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act

This bill allows individuals diagnosed with certain terminal illnesses to receive Social Security disability benefits without the standard 5-month waiting period. To qualify, a person must have a condition listed by the Social Security Administration that meets three criteria: it must be on the Compassionate Allowance list, have a life expectancy of five years or less from diagnosis, and have no known cure. If they choose this option, they receive 93% of their standard benefit amount starting from the first month they are disabled, but the election is permanent and must be made when applying for benefits. The Social Security Administration must update the qualifying condition list every five years, and any new addition requires congressional approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves 5-month waiting period for terminal illness disability benefits, enabling faster access to critical financial support for healthcare needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands disability benefits access for terminally ill workers by removing 5-month waiting period, aligning with employment standards for worker financial support during incapacity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 3379: EARLY Benefits for Workers Act

S 3379 (EARLY Benefits for Workers Act) allows states to use up to 20% of their unemployment grant funds (or $3 million) to provide job training and support services to workers *immediately* after they file for unemployment benefits, rather than waiting for later stages of their claim. This directly affects unemployed workers filing initial claims for regular unemployment benefits, enabling faster access to reemployment help. States cannot deny benefits solely because a worker didn’t use these early services during the initial claim period. If a worker later loses eligibility, states keep the grant funds spent on the early services and aren’t penalized for providing them. The bill changes how states administer unemployment grant funds to speed up job support access.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows immediate job training access via unemployment funds, directly supporting reemployment for workers filing claims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Jan 23, 2025

HR 714: Jobs Now Act of 2025

Jobs Now Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Labor to conduct a two-year pilot program to award grants to general local governmental units or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train individuals for positions that provide a public service. At least 50% of grant funds must be used to retain employees who would otherwise be laid off due to budget cuts. Labor must encourage grantees to use grant funds to retain, employ, or train veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals receiving unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates federal grants to prevent layoffs from budget cuts, retaining public sector jobs through supplemental funding to offset state/local budget constraints.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly funds job retention for laid-off workers (50% minimum), prioritizes veterans/disabled, and creates public service employment opportunities, advancing worker stability and access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly encourages grantees to use funds for veteran employment/training, directly supporting veteran workforce integration per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Unemployment Workforce Development Veteran Employment

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in committee · United States · House Sep 11, 2025

HR 5296: BUILDS Act

The BUILDS Act establishes competitive federal grants to fund industry partnerships in infrastructure sectors like energy (including clean energy), construction, transportation, information technology, and utilities. It directly affects workers in these industries, particularly those facing employment barriers (such as individuals receiving food assistance or unemployment benefits), by requiring partnerships to develop paid on-the-job training programs, align education with industry needs, and provide support services like childcare and mentorship. Key mechanisms include $2.5 million grants for new partnerships (up to $1.5 million for renewals) to cover planning, business engagement, and 12-month support services for participants. The bill mandates partnerships to recruit diverse workers, address employment barriers through labor market analysis, and align training with nationally portable credentials. It authorizes $500 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to implement these workforce development activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds infrastructure partnerships via federal grants, directly allocating government spending for public sector programs aligned with fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExplicitly funds clean energy infrastructure through federal grants in eligible sectors, directly advancing renewable energy development and workforce training.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates paid on-the-job training programs for workers in infrastructure sectors, particularly those facing employment barriers, directly advancing employment opportunities and skills development.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds IT infrastructure partnerships and workforce training in technology sectors, directly advancing industry development per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes federal grants specifically for transportation infrastructure through industry partnerships, directly funding sector projects per summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Apprenticeships Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7566: Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act of 2026

HR 7566 establishes a federal pilot program to provide competitive grants for job guarantee programs in high-unemployment areas. Eligible entities (like states, tribes, or rural communities with unemployment at least 150% of the national rate) must offer jobs to all adults (18+) residing in their area, with wages meeting or exceeding prevailing rates, health insurance comparable to federal benefits, and paid family/sick leave. The program requires supportive services (childcare, training), prohibits displacing existing workers, and mandates annual audits. It runs for up to 3 years in 15 pilot sites, with evaluations tracking impacts on employment, poverty, and environmental outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health insurance comparable to federal benefits for job program participants, expanding coverage access as a mandatory program component.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates wages ≥ prevailing rates, health insurance, paid leave, and supportive services for guaranteed jobs, directly strengthening worker benefits and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Unemployment

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